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4 


THE 

MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


By 

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON 


The Mysterious Rifleman 

Scouting on the Border 

The Pursuit of the 
Apache Chief 

The Trail of the 
Mohawk Chief 

Young People’s History of the 
American Revolution 

Places Young Americans 
Want to Know 

Fighters Young Americans 
Want to Know 

The Story of General Pershing 


D. APPLETON & COMPANY 
Publisher* New York 


T 234 B 





[PAGE 199 ] 


V 


AMERICAN SCOUTING SERIES 


THE MYSTERIOUS 
RIFLEMAN 


A STORY OF THE 
AMERICAN REVOLUTION 


BY 


EVERETT T. TOMLINSON 

a .. .. 


AUTHOR OF “SCOUTING ON THE BORDER,” “THE PURSUIT OF 
THE APACHE CHIEF,” ‘‘THE THAI I. OF THE MOHAWK 
CHIEF,” “PLACES YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO 
KNOW,” “YOUNG PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF THE 
AMERICAN REVOLUTION,” ETC. 



D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 

NEW YORK : : 1921 : : LONDON 




COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY 

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 



OCT 18 1321 


HUNTED IN THE UNITED STATES OE AMERICA 


§)CI. A627296 



PREFACE 


The incidents incorporated in this tale are his- 
torically correct. The license of a story-teller has 
been nsed freely, but the main events are true. 
The writer has endeavored to interest his young 
readers not only in the story but also in the times 
which surrounded it. In these troubled days he 
has believed that any portrayal of the heroic deeds 
of the men who struggled to obtain the liberty we 
enjoy today was well worth while. When the new- 
comers to our shores learn the price that was paid 
for the freedom into which they have been received 
it may be that they will more truly value the land 
to which they have come. For those whose fami- 
lies for generations have been Americans the 
story of the fathers’ heroism ought to make the 
younger Americans resolve to do their utmost to 
hold up what their ancestors so bravely upheld. 
At least all this has been in the mind of the writer 
as he has been at work. If the book shall interest 
his readers and they shall perceive his object, 
then his labor will not have been in vain. 

Everett T. Tomlinson 

Elizabeth, New Jersey 







CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. A Great Snake 1 

II. An Indian Target 14 

III. A Tory Visitor 25 

IV. The Search 35 

V. Two Canoes 47 

VI. The Landing at Negro Head Point ... 58 

VII. The Hollow Cypress 71 

VIII. The Voice op Old Bess 85 

IX. Into Wilmington 99 

X. The Pursuit 112 

XI. An Addition 125 

XII. Old Bess Speaks Again 139 

XIII. The Approach of the Tories 151 

XIV. The Surprise of John Casleb 162 

XV. The Flight 175 

XVI. Jim Paget’s Discovery 189 

XVII. Tim’s Attack 205 

XVIII. Conclusion 223 






THE 

MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


CHAPTER I 

A GREAT SNAKE 

T HE July sun was intensely warm. The 
leaves of the weeds along the dusty path 
were warped and curled beneath the* summer sun. 
A heavy coating of dust rested over all inanimate 
things. Metallic sounds of the noisy insects alone 
broke in upon the stillness. A long, fat snake lay 
outstretched in the burning sand across the path 
or rough roadway that led through the wood, and, 
aside from the cloud of flies that were in a con- 
tinuous motion which was so swift that to the eyes 
of a beholder they seemed to be motionless in the 
heated air, was the only visible living object until 
Jim Paget unexpectedly came within sight as he 
slowly turned the bend in the road and drew near 
the open space where the snake was lying, up to 
this time undisturbed. 

The sight of the reptile caused Jim to stop 
abruptly. Cautiously he placed his string of fish 
upon the ground and then glanced about for a 
weapon of some kind. A sturdy branch of a 
fallen oak commended itself, and, still moving with 
1 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


extreme caution after he dropped his pole near the 
fish, Jim broke off a length of eight or ten feet, 
which he tested carefully, meanwhile watching the 
snake which had not moved since he first discov- 
ered its presence. 

Armed in this manner, Jim cautiously advanced 
upon the enemy. Like many boys, Jim Paget be- 
lieved all snakes were created to be killed. Had 
not a snake talked to Eve in the Garden! Were 
they not 4 ‘cursed things/ ’ condemned to crawl 
upon their bellies? Had not his grandmother 
told him that the Lord had told Adam to use his 
heel on a snake after the troublous times in Eden 
had been succeeded by days in which poor Adam 
had been condemned to work and even to sweat 
in his labors? 

As Jim recalled the tales which Grandma Paget 
had told him of the early days of creation, none 
had found a deeper response than the one which 
dealt with the serpent’s beguiling of Eve and 
thereby ushering in a time when man (and inci- 
dentally boys who were “the sons of men”) were 
compelled to earn their bread by the sweat of 
their brows. Jim much preferred fishing in the 
North Branch of the Cape Fear River. It is true 
the Branch was a good long walk from his house 
and his face was as wet and shining with per- 
spiration when he at last arrived at the place 
where he kept his canoe hidden, as when he reluc- 
tantly hoed the garden or with leaden feet went 
every afternoon to search for and drive home the 
2 


A GREAT SNAKE 


lone cow which now comprised the “herd” of 
Colonel Bludworth. And snakes had been the 
original cause of trouble. Therefore, all snakes 
were hateful and to be killed whenever seen. 

Even the stories told him by his grandmother, 
however, were banished from his mind as Jim, a 
stout oak club in his right hand, advanced upon 
his unsuspecting enemy. The noisy drone of the 
insects continued and the apparently stationary 
flies were not alarmed as he passed. And all the 
time the serpent, doubtless a direct descendant of 
the one which had tempted Mother Eve and there- 
by brought death and all other woes to mortals, 
had not wriggled nor manifested any signs of 
fear. 

As Jim drew near, the snake suddenly showed 
signs of alarm. It began lazily to crawl from its 
warm bed in the sand, evidently heading for the 
safety of the near-by brush. The boy instantly 
began to run, prepared to strike a heavy blow 
upon his enemy. The snake, at least six feet in 
length, hesitated. For a moment Jim believed it 
was about to give battle as it lifted its hissing head 
and darted, lightninglike, its forked tongue in a 
manner at once terrifying and amusing. 

Jim, however, found no cause for amusement in 
the wide-open jaws and the gleaming little eyes 
that were shining like beads. As he halted a mo- 
ment the snake leisurely resumed its flight, al- 
though it did not display any signs of undue 
alarm. 


3 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


Jim promptly decided that he must lose no time 
if he wished to prevent the escape of his foe. 
Resolutely he darted forward, and, stepping cau- 
tiously to one side, he brought his club down upon 
the back of his enemy. Immediately the snake 
was aroused; instantly the six feet of squirming 
life was in action. Like an animated cable it tied 
itself into knots and then as quickly untied and 
was extended at full length, only to repeat the 
operation with a rapidity that was so marvelous 
that at no time did the snake appear to be mo- 
tionless. 

‘‘Broke his back,” muttered Jim as he pre- 
pared for a fresh attack. 

Rushing upon his disabled foe, he soon was 
convinced that his repeated blows had rendered 
his helpless enemy lifeless. 

Assured that he had nothing more to fear, Jim 
Paget thrust his club under the shining, slimy 
mass, lifting and letting fall again the heavy 
folds. 

‘ ‘ Huh ! It ’s nothing but a water snake, ’ 9 he ex- 
claimed in disgust. “It’s a whopper, though. I’ll 
bet it’s as big around as my leg. I wish Tim was 
here to see it. He’s always talking about the big 
feller he killed down in the swamp near jigger 
Head Point. He wouldn’t own up that this one 
is as big as the one he killed, not even if he was 
here to measure it.” At the suggestion Jim cau- 
tiously estimated the length of his victim. “Six 
foot, if he’s an inch,” he declared triumphantly. 

4 


A GREAT SNAKE 


“If he’d stop wiggling his tail long enough for 
me to cut it off, I’d just take it back for Tim to 
see. He’d stop braggin’ about his wonderful 
snake then, I reckon ! Anyway, I’m glad it won’t 
do any more harm,” said Jim philosophically, as 
he began to move toward the fish he had left on the 
near-by turf. 

Just as Jim was about to pick up his string, he 
paused abruptly and glanced hastily into the rough 
roadway behind him. Some one was approach- 
ing. Jim waited and in a brief time saw Tim 
Bludworth emerging from the woods. 

The approaching boy was two years older than 
Jim, a strapping, sturdy, well-grown lad of sev- 
enteen. A broken straw hat covered his head; 
he was coatless and barefooted. His freckled face 
and easy-going movements indicated his complete 
good nature, and it was plain that Tim was what 
his friends declared him to be, “a chip of the old 
block,” for Colonel Bludworth, Tim’s father, was 
a large man, more fond of hunting than of work 
on his small plantation, or “place,” as his farm 
was often called. 

It was now the summer of 1781, and the strug- 
gle between the poorly equipped army of General 
Nathanael Greene and the regulars of Lord Corn- 
wallis was in full swing in North Carolina. It is 
true that in nearly every engagement between the 
opposing forces Greene’s men had been defeated, 
but that fact apparently made little difference 
either in their plans or in their determination. 

5 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


Beaten in one place, they quickly retreated to an- 
other and the Redcoats were compelled to follow. 
All the time Lord Cornwallis was being drawn 
farther and farther from Charleston, his base of 
supplies, and his difficulties steadily increased. 

General Greene was assisted by the daring of 
the men under Sumter, Marion the Swamp Fox, 
and others. Night attacks, raids at unexpected 
places and times, kept Cornwallis in a continual 
state of perplexity. He did not know where next 
his enemies would appear, and when in swift pur- 
suit he did his utmost to overtake and scatter or 
capture them. Even when apparently he had ac- 
complished his purpose his crafty foes escaped. 
The very rivers across which the retreating Colo- 
nials fled rose within their banks and put an end 
to the chase for a time. 

The patriotic farmers and their boys joined 
Marion or Sumter or others of the leaders, and, 
after serving in the army for a few weeks, re- 
turned to look after the work on their farms; 
in a brief time, this task accomplished, they once 
more relieved the men who meanwhile had taken 
their places in the ranks of the fighting patriots. 

The Tories followed a similar plan; now 
assembling to help the regulars, now giving their 
places to others to go home to look after their fam- 
ilies and crops. It was a time of civil war. The 
hand of brother was raised against brother and 
frequently father was fighting against son. 
Neighbors that had been friends for many years 
6 


A GREAT SNAKE 


were now bitter enemies, and no damage was too 
savage or brutal for them to inflict upon their foes. 

Naturally the boys shared the feelings of 
their elders, and none was louder than they in 
their denunciation of the “hirelings” that were 
trying to deprive the people of the Carolinas, as 
well as of the other American colonies, of their 
rights. 

Not long before the time when this story opens, 
Tim Bludworth, after many vain appeals to his 
father that he too might join Sumter, had been 
permitted to go with the colonel on one of his 
periodic services in the band. It is true his du- 
ties had chiefly consisted in collecting the few 
horses that as yet had not been taken, but even that 
minor task was better than being kept out of the 
partisan struggle altogether, and upon his return 
home Tim had many things to tell Jim Paget the 
bound boy 1 who worked for and lived in the fam- 
ily of the colonel. The few negroes on the small 
plantation also helped to provide an audience for 
Tim, and they not only listened attentively to their 
young master, but also were keenly aroused by 
the atrocities of the hated Tories. 

Chief among these dusky admirers of the youth- 
ful Tim was ’Lijah, a coal black negro boy of the 

1 In the days of the Revolution and for several generations 
after the war was ended, it was a common custom in America to 
“ bind out ” orphan or homeless children. An agreement would 
be made by a certain party to provide a home, living, clothing, 
etc., for the orphan, in return for which the boy thus bound out 
gave his services until he became of age. These boys were known 
Us “bound boys.” 


7 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


same age as the hero of the surprising adven- 
tures. “Lige,” as he was commonly called, was a 
frequent companion of the colonel or of Tim and 
Jim Paget on their hunting and fishing ex- 
peditions, for Colonel Bludworth was as easy- 
going and good-natured in his dealings with his 
half dozen slaves as he was in his tasks on his 
plantation or in his relations with his son Tim 
his bound boy Jim Paget. Altogether life on 
Colonel Bludworth ’s place was not strenuous, at 
least not until the Redcoats or the Dutch butchers 
came and began to persecute the Tarheels for their 
perverse opposition to King George HI. 

Both Jim Paget and Tim Bludworth were aware 
of these conditions when they met in the woods 
late on that July day in 1781, directly after the 
former had disposed of his harmless enemy, the 
water snake that never again would sun itself in 
the hot and dusty road that led from Colonel 
Bludworth ’s plantation through the woods to the 
shore of the North Branch of the Cape Fear River. 

“Y’ ought toe see the snake I killed !” called 
Jim Paget excitedly, as he greeted his friend. 

“What kind was it?” demanded Tim calmly. 

“Water snake.” 

“Humph!” grunted Tim. “Nothin’ t’ kill one 
o’ them. They won’t bite, won’t bite even a dead 
fish. They just swallow ’em whole.” 

“But this was a whopper!” protested Jim Pa- 
get. “He’s more’n a six-footer an’ his mouth 
8 


A GREAT SNAKE 

opened more’n six inches. He wanted V 
fight ” 

“Wonder he didn’t s waller ye,” broke in Tim 
scornfully. 

“He was bigger’n th’ one yo’ all killed in the 
swamp over by Nigger Head Point.’ ’ 

“All right. I’ll take yore word for it. I’ve 
Rt somethin’ more important than dumbhead 
~water snakes,” declared Tim. 

“What!” asked Jim Paget quickly. He was 
impressed now by the subdued excitement in Tim’s 
manner which hitherto he had failed to recognize 
in his elation over the killing of the snake. 

“I saw George Rippel and John Casler back 
here a spell.” 

“What about them! What were they doing!” 
demanded Jim Paget quickly. The mention of 
the names of the two most bitter Tories of the 
entire region was sufficient of itself instantly to 
arouse his interest. 

“Just a settin’ an’ a talkin’.” 

“What about! Did yo’ hear ’em! Did they 
see yo ’ ! What were they a-sayin ’ ! ” 

“I heard them all right. They didn’t know I 
or anybody was nigh. When I see ’em a settin > 
thar on a log by the road I jest knew they wasn’t 
thar for anything good, so I made up my mind I’d 
creep up an’ find out what was goin’ on. Now 
I’m glad I did.” 

“What did they say! Could yo’ get nigh 
enough to hear what they was a-sayin’!” 

9 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“I sholy did,” replied Tim slowly, as if the rec- 
ollection of the conversation was still troubling 
him. 

“What did they say?” 

“Lots o’ things.” 

“But what?” demanded Jim Paget, whose curi- 
osity was now keenly aroused. 

“They was a-talkin’ about gettin’ all th’ Tories 
to meet at Wilmington.” 

“When?” 

“Day after t ’morrow.” 

“What for?” 

“Seems that there’s t’ be a band o’ Redcoats 
there.” 

“What for?” 

4 4 What for? Can’t y’ say anything but ‘what 
for’? What are th’ Redcoats for anyway? 
What for did Cornwallis bring ’em down yere 
from New York? It wasn’t t’ p’rade ’em, was it? 
You know ’s well ’s I do what they’re in No’th 
Car’lina for. If yo’ don’t know, then I can’t tell 
ye.” 

“Yes, yes, I know,” said Jim hastily. “They’ll 
be settin’ fires an’ chasin’ folks out o’ their homes, 
an’ stealin’ th’ pigs an’ chickens an’ shootin’. 
That’s a part o’ what they’ll be a-doin’ an’ right 
soon, too. But what are th’ Tories doin’? What 
for be they joinin’ ’em over at Wilmington?” 

“I reckon y’ might guess what they’re plan- 
nin’ toe do.” 

“They’ll be helpin’ th’ Redcoats by tellin’ ’em 
10 


A GREAT SNAKE 


who ’s got any money hid in their socks an ’ where 
they’ll be mos’ likely t’ find good pickin’s.” 

4 4 That’s what they will.” 

“ Where they goin’ t’ meet?” 

“Ain’t goin’ t’ meet at all.” 

“I thought y’ said they was t’ meet at Wil- 
mington. That’s only about a dozen miles away.” 

“ Correct, chile. Their plan is not t’ meet any- 
where but t’ gather in th’ town an’ all get ready 
there for th’ doin’s th’ traitors are plannin’.” 

“What d’ yo’ think they’ll do?” 

“It’s as plain as th’ nose on your face. Prob’ly 
th’ Redcoats will split up into small parties an’ 
th’ Tones’ll be their guides. They’ll show ’em 
th’ best an’ shortest ways t’ reach the places 
where th’ Whigs live an’ they won’t have much 
more t’ do. The reg’lers’ll furnish th’ rest. I’m 
tellin’ yo’, Jim Paget, there won’t be a house left 
standin’ in all o’ these parts if we don’t do some- 
thin’ t’ stop ’em.” 

“What can we do? We’re only a couple o’ 
boys. Lige might help but he ” 

“Never mind Lige, he doesn’t count for much. 
We’ve got V stir up the others.” 

“What others?” 

“The men, o’ course. We’ll put straight home 
and tell pop about it, first o’ all.” 

“What will he do?” 

“Trust him! He’ll know some way, an’ if he 
doesn’t he’ll find one.” 

“I reckon he will. We’d better start. It’ll be 
11 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

sundown in an hour or two. I’d like t’ have yo 
take a look at that snake I killed though, before 
we start. He’s only a little way from here an’ 
I’ll ” 

4 ‘Never yo’ mind that snake,” interrupted Tim. 
“We’ve got more important matters than water 
snakes t’ ’tend to now, even if they be four feet 
long. ’ ’ 

“I tell yo’ he was six foot if he was an inch!” 
spoke up Jim Paget quickly. 

“Have it yore own way,” laughed Tim. “I’m 
not disputin’ yo’. Mebbe he did look like he was a 
six-footer. Yo’ prob’ly was some excited when he 
was chasin’ yo’ through the brush.” 

“He didn’t chase me an’ he was six foot long,” 
declared Jim Paget sharply. 

“I’m not quarrelin’,” said Tim dryly. “I’m 
just a-sayin’ as how he prob’ly looked bigger ’n 
a meetin ’-house. Mebbe he was,” he added con- 
solingly. “All I know is that we don’t want t’ 
stop now toe examine any dead snakes. What 
we’ve got t’ do is t’ put it straight for home an’ 
tell pop all about what I heard George Rippel an’ 
John Casler a-talkin’ about. That’ll be about 
enough for me for a spell, I’m thinkin’. Come 
along.” 

Thus bidden, Jim Paget swung his fishing pole 
over his shoulder and, grasping his string of fish 
firmly in his hand, followed Tim as he swiftly led 
the way over the rough roadway. Within a few 
12 


A GREAT SNAKE 


minutes both boys were walking rapidly through 
the woods, eager to arrive at home and report the 
startling conversation Tim had overheard between 
the two most bitter Tories of the entire region. 


CHAPTER II 


AN INDIAN TARGET 

W HEN the excited boys arrived home, for 
to Jim Paget Colonel Bludworth’s house 
was the only home he had ever known, and 
he was treated by the easy-going colonel as if he 
were a member of his household, not merely as a 
boy 4 ‘bound out,” Tim was informed that his 
father was out in the 4 4 shop. ’ ’ This 4 4 shop 1 9 was a 
room in one of the barns on the plade in which Col- 
onel Bludworth kept most of his guns. A bench 
with a few simple tools provided most of the equip- 
ment. Upon the walls were a few tokens of the 
colonePs prowess in hunting, the one occupation 
which he loved above all others. A buck’s head 
with spreading antlers, the skins of rattlesnakes 
and copperheads, a stuffed wild goose, a bearskin 
and fox’s brush were other evidences of the man’s 
tastes and skill. 

The room, or shop, now as usually, was in disor- 
der. Shavings littered the floor, tools had been 
left where last they had been used, only the gun 
rack was in order. The colonel’s pride in his 
guns was so keen that whatever might be his de- 
fects in other lines, his guns were always cared 
for. 


14 


AN INDIAN TARGET 


The two boys found Colonel Bludworth busy at 
his bench, and it was plain that he was just com- 
pleting a new gun. He was giving the finishing 
touches to the weapon, the stock of which he had 
just fitted to the barrel. 

“ That’s a thumpin’ big gun y’ got there,’ ’ said 
Tim, as the boys entered the shop and with interest 
looked at the heavy weapon, now completed in 
the hands of the colonel. 

“This is Old Bess,” said the colonel, as he lifted 
the heavy gun to his shoulder and sighted it at a 
knothole in the side of the room. 

“How far ’ll she carry?” asked Jim Paget. 

“ ’Bout four hundred yards.” 

Jim Paget whistled in amazement. Four hun- 
dred yards ! The distance seemed incredible even 
for such a weapon as Old Bess was likely to be. 
“How big a bullet does she carry?” he inquired. 

“ ’Bout three ounces, mebbe four.” Colonel 
Bludworth seldom made definite replies and 
“ ’bout” was one of his favorite expressions. 
“I’ll give yo’ all a chance toe help me try her out 
pretty soon. I’ve set up a target out on the bor- 
der o’ the woods and we’ll soon find out whether 
she can send a bullet as far in front o’ her as she 
can kick behind her. Mebbe yo’ boys won’t care 
about testin’ her out. She’s liable toe kick yore 
shoulders right out o’ joint.” The colonel’s little 
eyes twinkled as he spoke and the wrinkles in his 
round, fat face seemed to deepen. 

15 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

The doughty colonel never gave one a military 
impression. He was short and fat and his eyes 
betrayed his somewhat lazy disposition. His 
boast was that he “never worried,’ ’ that military 
men had to learn to be philosophers and take 
things as they come. “There’s jest two sides too 
this worryin’,” the colonel was wont to declare. 
“Ain’t no use worryin’ ’bout th’ things yo’ cain’t 
help an’ if there’s things threatenin’ toe go wrong 
that yo’ can help, then the thing toe do is toe quit 
worryin’ an’ set ’em toe rights.” 

The good-natured warrior was thoroughly con- 
sistent with his declaration, for he did not worry 
over the things that could not be helped, and as 
for the second division he had made, apparently 
it had not as yet come near him. 

As a consequence, the forty years of the col- 
onel’s life had been tranquil for the most part. 
He loved his family, and his friends were fond of 
him. He did not have trouble with his darkies, 
for he was easily satisfied with what they did, and 
apparently was not dissatisfied with what they 
left undone. As has been said, his chief interest 
was in guns and hunting, although since the Tories 
had become so troublesome of late he had classed 
them with the prowling wolves and snakes, fit 
only to be exterminated. Indeed, it was even said 
by certain of the friends of the worthy man that 
he had taken to hunting Tories very much as he 
hunted foxes before the coming of Cornwallis 
into the “Tarheel” country. 

16 


AN INDIAN TARGET 


“Yo’ may need yore gun, pretty soon,” sug- 
gested Tim. 

1 ‘ How’s that!” 

In response to his father’s inquiry Tim de- 
scribed his adventures of the afternoon, and as he 
related the conversation he had overheard between 
John Casler and George Rippel the anger as well 
as the interest of his father was quickly aroused. 

“Th’ doggone traitors!” he muttered when at 
last all of Tim’s story was told. “I’ve been a 
suspectin’ that John Casler as bein’ up toe some 
new devil’s tricks. I wish I knew more ’bout jest 
what they’re plannin’ toe do. Yo’ say it’s day 
after t ’morrow they’re a-plannin’ toe meet at 
Wilmington?” 

“Yas, suh.” 

“ Yo’ didn’t hear ’em say how many o’ th’ Red- 
coats was to be there?” 

“Accordin’ toe what John Casler said, there’ll 
be a right smart lot.” 

“Yo’ don’t know ’bout how many?” 

“No more’n that.” 

The colonel was silent a brief time and then 
said, “I’ve a notion toe try out a scheme I’ve 
been thinkin’ ’bout. Th’ doggone traitors!” 

“What’s the plan?” 

“I’ll send one o’ yo’ boys over toe John Cas- 
ler ’s t ’night.” 

“What for?” 

“Toe take a word. We’ll ask John toe come 
over here day after t ’morrow.” 

17 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


“Will that be better ’n havin’ Lige go toe Wil- 
mington ?” 

“Why should Lige go toe Wilmington ?” asked 
Jim Paget quickly. 

“He can go there without anybody suspectin’ 
him,” replied the colonel. 

“We can do both,” suggested Jim Paget. 
“Let Lige go toe John Casler’s t’morrow an’ if 
he hears or finds out anything of importance then 
I’ll go toe Wilmington. Nobody’ll suspect me of 
anything over there. Not even John Casler or 
George knows that we’ve heard anything ’bout 
what’s goin’ on at Wilmington.” 

“That’s a good suggestion,” agreed Colonel 
Bludworth heartily. “T’morrow right after sun- 
up we’ll send Lige over toe John’s an’ if he has 
anythin’ t’ report we’ll let yo’ take the skiff or 
th’ canoe an’ try toe find out what’s bein’ done in 
Wilmington.” 

The plan having been accepted, the colonel con- 
tinued, “Now I’ll let yo’ boys go with me toe give 
Old Bess a trial.” 

“Where?” asked Tim. 

“Just yonder. I rigged up an old barn door 
out there by the woods an’ I painted th’ face of 
an Indian on it. That’ll make a good target an’ 
will give us a chance toe find out if yo’ boys can 
stand up after the old gun has spoke her piece. 
Unless I’m very much mistaken she has more kick 
in her than th’ hind leg o’ a mule.” 

“We’ll try her,” said Tim eagerly. He shared 
18 


AN INDIAN TAEGET 


in his father’s love of guns and hunting and was 
ready at any time to accept a challenge such as 
had been made by the colonel. 4 6 When do we 
start!” he added. 

“ Eight now. It won’t be sundown fo’ a half 
hour yet and we’ll have plenty o’ time toe test her 
out. Mebbe I’ve jest got her fixed up in the nick 
o’ time if these Tories an’ Eedcoats are plottin’ 
toe do any damage ’round these parts. Come 
along, we’ll soon find out.” 

The trio at once withdrew from the shop and, 
with the colonel leading the way and carrying Old 
Bess slung across his shoulder, they soon arrived 
at the place they were seeking. True to his word, 
the boys discovered the old barn door which Col- 
onel Bludworth had set up near the border of the 
woods, and on it was the face of an Indian, painted 
a vivid red and clearly seen in the light. 

“I’ll take my turn first,” said the colonel, 
“jest toe show yo’ all how toe do it. Then I’ll 
give each o’ yo’ a chance. Aim straight fo’ th’ 
nose. I painted that a bit redder ’n th’ rest o’ the 
face on purpose toe give yo’ a mighty good tar- 
get. Now then,” he added, as he raised the heavy 
gun to his shoulder, and after taking a quick aim 
pulled the trigger. 

With a noise like the report of a cannon Old 
Bess responded. The boys were too much excited 
to notice that the colonel staggered after the dis- 
charge, and both ran swiftly to inspect the target. 

A shout arose when they discovered the mark 
19 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


of the bullet which had passed directly through 
the right eye of the painted face. “ Pretty nigh 
a bull’s-eye!” called Tim to his father, who had 
not left the spot where he had been standing when 
he fired. While the boys were absent he carefully 
swabbed the barrel and then with equal care 
reloaded. 

“ A good shot, pop!” declared Tim, as the boys 
came back. “The bullet went plumb through the 
right eye!” 

“If it had been a Tory he’d have a headache or 
be seem’ stars,” joined in Jim Paget. “ ’Twas a 
mighty good shot.” 

“Try yore luck now,” suggested the colonel, 
holding forth the gun as he spoke. 

Tim at once took the heavy weapon and stepped 
forward to display his skill as a marksman. Even 
to him the effort to bring the gun to his shoulder 
was a test of his strength, and the colonel laughed 
as he said, “I’m thinkin’ that gun is goin’ t’ call 
fo’ a full-grown man toe handle it. If it’s too 
much of a load, don’t try it.” 

“I’m all right,” retorted Tim sharply, as he 
lifted the gun once more to his shoulder. 

“Look out she doesn’t kick yore head off,” 
warned Jim Paget. 

The youthful shooter disdained to reply to the 
suggestion and after a brief delay he pulled the 
trigger. 

Again there was a loud report and Tim was 
nearly thrown to the ground in the “kick.” A 
20 


AN INDIAN TARGET 

loud laugh greeted his efforts, louder, however, 
from the colonel than from Jim Paget. 

Doubtless the latter was not without certain 
serious thoughts concerning the results of his own 
coming test. However, he joined Tim as the lat- 
ter, after handing Old Bess to his father, began 
once more to run toward the target. 

“That was a great shot,” said Jim Paget, as 
soon as they saw the mark of the bullet. “Yo’ 
sure plugged his left eye! Right plumb through 
it! It’s nigh a half inch nearer the nose than 
yore dad come.” 

Tim, elated by his success, was silent, though 
his face was glowing with pride. It was Jim 
Paget who laughed at the colonel when the boys 
rejoined him and said, “ Yo’ all want toe look out, 
Colonel, or th’ chip’ll be bigger’n th’ old block 
before y’ know it.” 

Colonel Bludworth, somewhat crestfallen be- 
cause his very good shot had been excelled by his 
son’s, laughed at the earnest face of the short, 
stocky Jim Paget, whose eyes at once had become 
serious again as he was aware that his turn to 
shoot had come. 

“Here yo’ go,” said the Colonel good-naturedly, 
as he handed the gun, which he had reloaded while 
the boys were absent, to Jim Paget. “Good luck, 
t’ yo’! Yo’ve got toe be some shot, young man, 
t’ do better ’n Tim an’ me.” 

Jim Paget quietly took Old Bess and stepped 
forward. The gun was even heavier than he had 
21 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


thought. He was compelled to exert all the 
strength he possessed when he lifted it. His arms 
were trembling while he was sighting it. He was 
aware of the interest of his companions and 
was determined to do his best. In spite of his 
efforts, however, the barrel of the gun was sway- 
ing slightly when at last he pulled the trigger and 
the terrific report followed. Jim Paget was 
thrown to the ground by the reaction, and for a 
moment it seemed to him that his right arm had 
been torn from his shoulder. 

The laughing of his companions, however, re- 
stored a measure of his determination, and Tim 
called to him, “Want me toe get a basket, Jim 
Paget ?” 

“I don’t want any basket.” 

“No, but maybe I ought toe get one and pick up 
th’ pieces. Old Bess sure is a bad kicker.” 

Jim Paget ruefully rubbed his aching shoulder 
as he said, “I agree. Let’s call it quits. I want 
toe find out before I go back jest how far I come 
from that grinnin’ Indian’s face.” 

“We’ll know in a minute,” said Tim, not alto- 
gether displeased over the mishap. “Yo’ all 
don’t need t’ come. I’ll take a squint at th’ tar- 
get an’ report later.” 

“I’m cornin’ too,” declared Jim Paget sturdily, 
as he painfully began to run toward the painted 
face. The gun had kicked and kicked hard, he 
ruefully assured himself. The muscles of his arm 
and shoulder were paining him severely. Another 
22 


AN INDIAN TARGET 


time he would take more pains to see that the 
stock rested firmly against his shoulder. 

‘ ‘ Here we are!” called Tim who was the first 
to arrive. “Yo’ beat us both,” he added after a 
hasty inspection. “Yo’ smashed his mouth. 
Right straight in th’ mouth! Honest, Jim 
Paget,” he added, as he turned squarely upon the 
boy, “was that jest luck or did yo’ go for t’ do it, 
honest injun ? ’ ’ 

As the youthful Jim Paget was known as one 
of the best of the younger shots in the region 
Tim’s question was perhaps not unnatural. 

“I reckon I jest happened toe make th’ shot,” 
said Jim Paget modestly. 

“If pop should set Old Bess on th’ Tories they 
wouldn’t stand much chance, would they?” 
laughed Tim. 

“Mebbe he’ll have a chance t’ try her. Three 
shots at two hundred yards an’ all three cornin’ 
within two inches o’ th’ bull’s-eye don’t make 
Tories happy,” said Jim Paget dryly. 

“Who wants t’ make ’em happy?” retorted 
Tim. “Yo’ heard pop say they was all doggone 
traitors anyway, didn’t yo’?” 

“I heard him. Who’s that yonder, cornin’ 
’round th’ corner o’ th’ shop?” Both boys 
stopped at the unexpected appearance of a new- 
comer and in the light which now had become 
somewhat dim they peered interestedly at the man 
who was approaching the colonel. 

“It’s John Casler!” declared Tim a moment 
23 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

later in a low voice. “Of all men in th’ world he’s 
th’ one I didn’t think would be cornin’ here yet 
awhile. Come on,” he added to his companion. 
“We want t’ hear what he has toe say fo’ him- 
self.” 


CHAPTER III 


A TORY VISITOR 

C OLONEL BLUDWORTH and the two boys 
waited in silence for their neighbor to ap- 
proach. It is true John Casler’s little home or 
“shack” was at least two miles away, but in the 
sparsely settled region he was looked upon as a 
neighbor. In the days before the great struggle 
had begun, John Casler had not only been neigh- 
borly but also friendly. On hunting trips Colonel 
Bludworth and he had gone for days together and 
in many ways they had shown and shared their 
common interest. 

But John Casler had been for the King even 
before the “invaders” had entered North Caro- 
lina. His sentiments were freely expressed and 
led to many heated arguments between the two 
former friends, but since Cornwallis had brought 
his army the feeling had become intensely bitter. 
It was difficult now for Colonel Bludworth to have 
charity for his neighbor, and the result was that 
John Casler ceased coming to the colonel *s place. 
When they chanced to meet in the road, a surly 
and decidedly formal greeting was all that masked 
their enmity. Even this formality recently had be- 
come shorter and tarter, while the expression on 
25 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

the face of each man betrayed his bitter hatred 
of the other. 

As John Casler drew nearer the place where 
the colonel and the two boys were waiting there 
was a brief time when all three suspected that he 
was about to pass without a word. The suspicion 
departed, however, when the visitor stopped and 
with an expression of gloating on his face said, 
“I reckon yore time is ’bout up.” 

“Which might mean what?” inquired the col- 
onel with a prolonged drawl. 

“It might mean a hundred things, but it shore 
does mean one.” 

“What might that be?” 

“That the days o’ the rebels is ’bout num- 
bered.” 

The colonel smiled in his most tantalizing man- 
ner and was silent. Indeed there was an expres- 
sion of contempt on his face as he looked calmly 
at his neighbor. John Casler, tall and rawboned, 
his long yellow whiskers stained with tobacco 
juice, his sandy hair also long and unkempt, his 
faded blue eyes and his general bearing of lazi- 
ness and lack of ambition did not impress a be- 
holder as one who possessed the marks of a dan- 
gerous enemy. There was, however, a dogged 
obstinacy in the man that was visible in the midst 
of the shiftiness and forlornness that seemed to 
enfold him as with a garment. 

“Yas, suh,” repeated John Casler, uneasy at 
the prolonged silence. “Yore days is done for an’ 
26 


A TORY VISITOR 

no mistake. I thought ’twould be only neighborly 
toe come over an’ give yo’ warninV , 

“Yo’ always was a considerate cuss,” drawled 
the colonel. “Yo’ never had an eye out for yo’- 
self an’ was always thinkin’ what good yo’ could 
do yore neighbors. Now spit it out, John Casler! 
Say what y’ got t’ say an’ be done with it.” 

4 ‘ That’s all I got fo’ t’ say,” retorted John 
Casler. There was, however, such an expression 
of malignity on his face that Jim Paget, listening 
intently and watchful of the man’s every move, 
was reminded of the glitter he had seen in the 
eyes of the huge water snake he had killed that 
afternoon. 

“No, it isn’t,” declared the colonel. “Y’ve 
got a heap mo’ yo’ want toe say. If y’ want toe, 
y’ might tell us what time yo’re a goin’ toe Wil- 
mington an’ what yo’re goin’ there for.” 

It was instantly plain that John Casler was 
startled by the abrupt words of the colonel. He 
stared blankly at the man for a brief time and 
then, after a moment of hesitation, said, “Yo’ all 
think yo ’re right smart, don ’t ye ? ” 

“Can’t say as ever I had very many s’picions 
like that ’bout myself an’ I shore never did have 
any ’bout my neighbors, leastwhile some o ’ ’em. ’ ’ 

“Meanin’ me?” 

“Meanin’ yo’, that is, if yo’ agree that the coat 
fits all right.” 

“It’s too tight toe fit,” broke in Tim, laughing 
loudly as he spoke. 


27 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Keep yore words toe yoreself," said the col- 
onel sharply to his son. “Y' mustn't interrupt 
yore elders. Children must be seen an' they 
must not be heard." In spite of the brusque 
words, however, it was manifest that the colonel 
was not unduly indignant over the interruption. 
Turning again to his visitor, he continued, “Now, 
John Casler, I want toe give yo' a bit o' advice. 
I don't charge anything fo' it, but it'll do yo' 
good if yo' all act on it." 

“Keep yore advice till it's asked fo'," snapped 
John Casler. 

“I can't. It's fo' the good o' yore soul. Hold 
on a bit," he added, as his visitor apparently dis- 
regarded the words of his neighbor, “I jest merely 
wanted toe remark that yore health'll be better 
if yo' keep away from the Tories an' th' traitors 
what are a plannin' toe gather at Wilmington 
right soon!" 

“What do yo' know 'bout the Royalists meetin' 
at Wilmington?" asked John Casler, startled for 
a moment out of his self-control. 

“Never yo' mind 'bout what I know nor yet 
'bout how I found out. Is my advice good or 
bad?" 

“Yo' all don't know anything 'bout what yo’re 
talkin' 'bout." 

“That's as maybe an' doesn't concern yo' nor 
me. Th' main thing is what I said. Is my ad- 
vice good or bad?" 

“Yo’ may not be 's smart as yo' think y' be," 
28 


A TORY VISITOR 


retorted J olin Casler, recovering a measure of his 
confidence. “Th’ fools ain’t all Royalists. Most 
o’ th’ rebels belong there.” 

“Some folks don’t know ’nough toe know what 
the’ be.” 

1 ‘ An ’ some can ’t find out. But yo ’ don ’t answer 
my question.” 

“I don’t have t’.” 

“Course y’ don’t. Let me warn yo’ though, 
John Casler, don’t yo’ all go near Wilmington 
fo’ th’ next three days.” 

“Why not?” 

“I’ve told yo’ somethin’ll happen toe yo’, some- 
thin’ neither yo’ nor yore friends, that is, if yo’ 
still have any friends, will ever be likely toe for- 
get.” The colonel was speaking quietly, but there 
was a fire in his eyes that plainly impressed his 
neighbor. 

John Casler glanced uneasily about him before 
he said, “I don’t believe y’ know anything ’bout 
th’ meeting at Wilmington.” 

“Yo’ all tell George too what I’m tellin’ yo’. 
It’ll do him good too, for George ain’t as big a 
fool as he looks to be. He jest gets into bad com- 
pany sometimes an’ he’s likely to be made a fool 
of by them. Least while, they’ll try t’ get him t’ 
join ’em.” 

“Yo’re much worried ’bout yore neighbors,” 
sneered John Casler. 

“I’m not th’ one t’ worry,” retorted the colonel. 

“Then what y’ talkin’ t’ me this way for?” 

29 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Fm not talkin\ Fm jest askin’ yo’ a straight 
question an’ y’ don’t answer me.” 

* 4 What’s th’ harm in goin’ to Wilmington?” 
demanded John Casler. 

“No harm if y’ go at th’ right time. That’s 
th’ whole jig.” 

“What’ll happen if I do go?” 

“Same’s ’ll happen toe all th’ traitors an’ Red- 
coats that are plannin’ for a gatherin’ there at th’ 
time I’m warnin’ yo’ ’bout. Keep away, that’s all 
I have t’ say.” 

Colonel Bludworth spoke savagely and for a 
moment John Casler evidently was impressed. 
He said no more, however, and with a sneer on his 
face passed on, nor did he once glance behind him 
before he disappeared in the woods. 

“They’re shore plannin’ toe meet at Wilming- 
ton,” said the colonel, as he looked at the boys. 
He had been watching John Casler as long as the 
latter remained within sight. 

“What are they meeting for?” asked Tim. “It 
can ’t be for anything good. ’ ’ 

“Of course it isn’t for anything good,” snapped 
the colonel. “Nothin’ good ever comes from the 
Tories an’ when yo’ get Tories and Redcoats to- 
gether, then yo’ all want t’ look out.” 

“What’ll they do?” inquired Tim. 

“That’s what we must find out.” 

“How’ll we do it?” 

“I’m thinkin’ ’bout it right now an’ I haven’t 
got very far ’long in my plans. Th’ first thing is 
30 


A TORY VISITOR 

for Jim Paget here t’ take th’ canoe an’ start for 
Wilmington.” 

“When?” 

4 4 Right now. ’ 9 

“Shall I go alone?” asked the bound boy. 

“Yas, suh. Don’t want anybody ’long with yo’ 
when yo’re on such a hunt as this.” 

“What shall I do when I get there?” asked 
Jim Paget, who had not yet recovered from the 
surprise the colonel’s suggestion had aroused. 

“Find out ’bout this plan.” 

“How shall I find out?” 

“Use yore head. What’s a head planted on the 
top o’ yore carcass for except toe use?” 

“But how shall I begin? Where shall I go? 
What shall I do first?” 

“If yo’ start now y’ ought toe get there by ten 
o’clock. It’s a long paddle but it won’t kill yo’. 
Yo’d better go toe Sim Miller’s first off. He’ll 
probably put yo ’ up for the night an ’ then besides 
we can count on him for a good friend. Maybe 
some o’ th’ Tories don’t know jest where Sim 
stands, but I do an’ that’s enough. He knows 
yo’re all right an’ yo’ can tell him I sent yo’ toe 
find out ’bout th’ doin’s being planned over there.” 

“ I ’ll go, ’ ’ said Jim Paget simply. 4 4 When shall 
I start?” 

4 4 Right now. Tim an’ I’ll go down to help yo’ 

off.” 

“I don’t need any help.” 

4 4 Then we’ll save time an’ not go with yo’,” 
31 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

said the colonel abruptly. There was such an 
abrupt and complete change in the colonel that 
both boys stared at him in surprise. His easy- 
going manner had disappeared and he was now 
alert and plainly aroused. “Yo’ might wait toe 
get a bite toe eat before y’ start,” he suggested. 

“Never mind that. I’ll get along all right. 
Besides, if I’m hungry I’ll get something toe eat 
at Sim Miller’s.” As he spoke Jim Paget turned 
away and started toward the place where their 
canoe was kept hidden on the bank of the North 
Branch. 

“ Don’t yo’ want a gun?” called Tim. 

“No. No, he doesn’t want any gun,” said the 
colonel abruptly. “He’ll be safer without one.” 

“I’m all right,” responded Jim Paget. “I’ll 
be back before long.” 

Colonel Bludworth and Tim remained where 
they were standing, watching Jim Paget until he 
was lost to sight in the woods. 

“Come on, son,” the colonel said, as he swung 
Old Bess across his shoulder and led the way back 
to the house. 

“I don’t see what yo’ wanted toe send him toe 
Wilmington for?” suggested Tim thoughtfully, as 
he dropped behind his father. “Yo’ know from 
John Casler’s actions that there is t’ be some 
doin’s there. Isn’t that enough?” 

“Not when I can find out more. The more I 
know th’ better I can plan toe block th’ traitors. 
They’re a bad lot.” 


32 


A TORY VISITOR 


“What are yo’ goin’ toe do?” 

“I don’t know but a part yet. I reckon I’ll be 
better off when Jim Paget comes back.” 

“What y’ thinkin’ o’ doin’?” 

“Something t’ keep th’ doggone traitors from 
doin’ what they’re plannin’ t’ do.” 

“Yes, I understand that much. What’s th’ be- 
ginnin’ o’ th’ plan?” 

“Wait till Jim Paget comes back.” 

“Nobody knows when that’ll be.” 

“He’ll be home t ’morrow.” 

“S’pose he doesn’t come?” 

“Then we’ll have toe go ahead without him. 
He’ll come, all right.” 

In spite of his impatience Tim was aware that 
it was useless to attempt to obtain further infor- 
mation from his father at the time. The dusk 
was deepening and night was at hand. In silence 
he followed the colonel back to the shop where 
Old Bess was carefully covered and then placed 
on the pegs in the wall that recently had been made 
for her. Neither spoke when the door was closed, 
and they started toward the house. Tim was sur- 
prised when his father, instead of entering by the 
front door, turned aside and, motioning for his 
son not to follow him, started toward the quar- 
ters of the slaves. 

Puzzled by the action of his father, Tim stopped 
and watched him and saw him enter the little cabin 
in which Lige lived with his mother, Aunt Judy, 
who was the cook for the entire family. 

33 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


What did the colonel’s visit imply? His stop- 
ping at the cabins was an event so infrequent as 
to make his actions seem even more mysterious. 
What was he planning to do ? His silence too was 
strange and Tim was positive that his father must 
be deeply aroused. Without question his behavior 
somehow was connected with the words of John 
Casler and the departure of Jim Paget, but just 
what the connection was Tim was unable to con- 
jecture. It was something , however, that had to 
do with the colonel’s plan. 

Tim was about to enter the house but he stopped 
abruptly and, turning toward the woods, listened 
intently. A moment later the strange sound which 
had startled him was repeated. It was so faint, 
however, that he could not be positive that he 
really had heard it. To the startled boy a cry 
for help had been borne to him on the night air and 
the voice was that of Jim Paget. 

Still he waited and listened. The call, if it 
was a call, was not heard again and Tim once 
more turned to the house. 

“It couldn’t be Jim Paget,” he said to himself. 
“He’s over by th’ Branch long before this, and 
no voice could carry that far. I must have 
dreamed it. Maybe it was an owl.” 

Whatever the cry might have been— of bird or 
beast or a call for help from Jim Paget — Tim 
Blud worth was greatly disturbed when at last he 
resolutely lifted the latch and entered his father’s 
house. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE SEARCH 

W HEN Jim Paget left his friends and started 
toward the place where the canoe was kept 
he was still confused over the project which con- 
fronted him. It was not plain to the lad just what 
he was expected to do. Twelve miles, the distance 
to Wilmington, was a long way to paddle, but 
even after he should have arrived, what he was 
to do was by no means clear to him. He was to 
go to Sim Miller’s and find out about the plans of 
the Tories. Suppose Sim Miller did not know? 

Sim Miller was a cobbler who had done odd jobs 
for the family of Colonel Bludworth, and several 
times Jim Paget had been the errand boy. In 
good weather a sail to Wilmington in the little cat- 
boat was not undesirable, but to make the voyage 
at night and in a canoe was an entirely different 
matter. 

Besides, Jim Paget had no great confidence in 
the knowledge Sim Miller might possess. The 
cobbler was a very talkative man, holding opinions 
on all subjects great or small, which he was more 
than willing to express to his listeners. Seated on 
his rude bench, he talked unceasingly while he 
35 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


worked, dividing his attention between Lord 
North and King George III and the mistakes of 
Governor Tyrol in dealing with the sturdy people 
of North Carolina. 

However, the problem of finding and obtaining 
information from Sim Miller was more remote 
than the one that immediately confronted him. 
Striving to banish from his mind thoughts of what 
he must do when once he arrived in Wilmington, 
Jim Paget resolutely continued on his way and 
soon arrived at the bank where his canoe was kept 
concealed in the brush that grew rank along the 
shore. 

The light was sufficient to enable him to locate 
the canoe and drag it from its hiding place. He 
placed it in the water and, taking an additional 
paddle to be used in case of emergency, he kneeled 
and prepared to set forth on his voyage. As he 
lifted his paddle he was startled by a voice that 
apparently came from the midst of the near-by 
trees. “ Jim Paget, is that you?” 

The lad glanced anxiously all about him, but 
could not discover any one near. 

“Jim Paget, what yo’ doin' in that canoe? 
Where yo' all plannin’ f o' toe go?” again called 
the unseen speaker from the shore. 

Still the alarmed boy was not able to discern 
any one in the dim light among the trees. 

i ‘ Where yo' startin’ for?” 

“Who’s callin’?” inquired Jim Paget. His 
voice was trembling in spite of his efforts to con- 
36 


THE SEARCH 

trol it. He was frightened too, but had not lost 
his self-control. 

As if in answer to his question two men ad- 
vanced from the darkness and approached the 
bank, for Jim Paget had not yet begun to paddle. 
One of the men strongly resembled John Casler, 
but of course it could not be the man, for only a 
little while before he had been talking to Colonel 
Bludworth and the two boys, when they had been 
firing at the improvised target which had been set 
up on the border of the woods. Thus Jim Paget 
resolutely strove to assure himself. 

“We all know what yo’ all is tryin’,” declared 
one of the men, whom the lad was unable to iden- 
tify. 

“Then yo’ know more hi I do.” 

“The colonel is a sendin’ yo’ toe Wilmington.” 

Jim Paget was startled but he did not respond 
to the suggestion. “What if he did, John Cas- 
ler f ” he asked after a brief silence. “That’s no 
more hi yo 9 yo’self are doin’. I never heard it 
was any crime toe go there.” 

“Come ashore!” demanded John Casler 
sharply, for the speaker was the hated Tory. 

For a moment Jim Paget was tempted to drive 
his paddle into the stream and attempt to escape 
across the river. The suggestion was quickly 
abandoned, however, when one of men on the shore 
stepped forward and before the boy could act, 
seized the bow of the canoe and overturned it, 
throwing him into the water. 

37 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

Jim Paget floundered and his mouth and nose 
filled with water. After a brief struggle he re- 
gained his footing and hastily climbed up the bank. 

‘ 4 What did yo’ do that for?” he shouted in his 
anger. 

Both men laughed at his plight, but it was plain 
that there was more than a rough joke in their 
thoughts. 

4 ‘What did yo’ all do that for?” repeated Jim 
Paget, his anger increasing as he spoke. 

“Y’ll find out right soon,” said John Casler. 
“Yo’ keep yore mouth shut tight and come along 
with us.” 

“I’m not cornin’ with yo’ !” shouted Jim Paget. 

“ Yas, yo’re cornin’ with us.” As he spoke John 
Casler brutally struck the boy on the head. 

Jim Paget, as soon as he recovered from the 
blow, instantly turned toward the woods and at- 
tempted to seek safety in flight. His efforts, how- 
ever, were useless for his captors quickly overtook 
him. As they seized him Jim Paget shouted in his 
loudest tones, “Colonel! Colonel Bludworth! 
Come and help me! John Casler ” 

The lad’s voice was silenced as the two men 
threw him roughly to the ground and kicked him 
viciously. 

“Now, d’yo’ think yo’ can keep yore mouth 
shut?” demanded John Casler, as once more he 
kicked the prostrate lad. “Speak up !” he added 
with a fresh and still more vicious kick. * ‘ It won ’t 
38 


THE SEARCH 


do yo' any good toe call on th' colonel. He can't 
help yo', an' besides he'll have all he wants t' do 
lookin' after his own affairs. I'm thinkin' he’s 
not likely t' have much toe look after right soon." 

Both men laughed as John Casler spoke and 
then the second man, whom Jim Paget still failed 
to recognize, said, “Now, sonny, will yo’ come 
'long with us like a good little boy?" 

Jim Paget was now fully aware that it was 
hopeless for him to escape by flight. The two 
men were stronger than he and both doubtless 
were armed. He must submit, at least for the 
time. In a low voice he asked, “Where do yo' 
want me toe go?" 

“We don't ‘want' yo' toe go anywhere. Yo're 
cornin' right along with us. It'll be better for yo' 
if yo' come peacefully, but yo're cornin' anyway." 

As he spoke, John Casler seized Jim Paget by 
his collar and at once started swiftly along the 
bank, compelling his prisoner to accompany him. 
Nor was the young prisoner offering any resis- 
tance, though he was thinking of the means of a 
future possible escape. Chiefly he was wondering 
whither his captors were taking him and what 
his fate was to be. The entire adventure was un- 
expected and unaccountable. 

The youthful prisoner was conducted to a small 
shanty about a quarter of a mile down the shore. 
Jim Paget often had seen the little building. Ap- 
parently it was deserted. The common report 
39 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


concerning it was that years before it had been 
erected as a fish house, but it was thought to have 
been abandoned long ago and of late it had not 
attracted any attention, either from Jim Paget or 
Tim. 

As soon as John Casler opened the door he 
pushed his prisoner before him; then closing the 
door, he himself entered. Jim Paget now was in 
total darkness. The mystery of the place and his 
uncertainty concerning his captor’s plan increased 
his alarm. He remained silent, however, awaiting 
the next move of John Casler. 

He did not have long to wait. i ( Hand over toe 
me that letter th’ colonel give yo’,” demanded 
John Casler. 

“He didn’t give me any letter,” answered Jim 
Paget. “I haven’t got any letter.” 

“Don’t lie toe me l” said John Casler savagely. 
“Don’t talk, just give me that paper!” 

“I haven’t any paper.” 

“Come on in,” said John Casler to his com- 
panion, who for some reason had remained out- 
side. “We’ve got t’ search the young rebel.” 

“Give up th’ letter and save yoreself all th’ 
trouble,” suggested the second man as he entered. 

“I’ve told yo’ the truth,” declared Jim Paget. 
He was now thoroughly frightened. He was alone 
with the men and powerless in their hands. 

“We know yo’ve got a letter an’ we’re go in’ toe 
have it. We haven’t any time toe waste here, 
40 


THE SEARCH 


foolin’ over yore tricks. Once more I ask yo’ 
toe give up th’ letter an’ then we’ll let yo’ go,’’ 
said John Casler. 

“I haven ’t any letter. I told yo’ that before. 
Yo’ can kill me, but yo’ can’t find any letter be- 
cause I haven’t got any.” 

“ Where did th’ colonel tell y’ toe go!” asked 
John Casler ’s companion. 

“Toe Wilmington.” 

“What fo’!” 

“Toe find out what the Tories was expectin’ toe 
do there.” 

“How was yo’ expectin’ toe find out!” 

“I don’t know. Th’ colonel told me toe use my 
head.” 

“Humph! Pile o’ good that would do! How 
did he find out there was toe be a meetin’ at Wil- 
mington!” 

“He didn’t tell me.” 

“There isn’t any use standin’ here,” suggested 
John Casler’s companion, whose name Jim Paget 
had found to be Jed. At least John Casler had ad- 
dressed him several times as “Jed.” 

“What shall we do!” 

“Search him. Strip him an’ leave him here fo’ 
th’ flies an’ mosquitoes, that is, if he still says he 
won’t give up his letter.” 

“I can’t give up what I haven’t got,” said Jim 
Paget. 

* 1 Don ’t talk any mo ’ ’bout it. Open th ’ door an ’ 
41 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

we’ll have a look. He’s got a letter somewhere on 
him an’ we’ll have a look at it. Don’t yo’ b’lieve 
a word he says,” snarled John Casler. 

His companion threw open the door and then 
both men turned upon the lad. 

First they stripped him of his jacket and blouse 
and began to examine them. They turned the 
pockets inside out, neither of them speaking dur- 
ing the examination. Jim Paget stood silent, 
watching his captors and even offering to assist 
them in their search. 

6 ‘ Nothin’ in here,” growled John Casler, as he 
tossed the jacket into a corner. “ Maybe we’ll 
have better luck as we go on,” he added, as he 
turned again to their prisoner. 

Then the unexpected happened. Abruptly and 
without a word of warning Jim Paget leaped for 
the open doorway. His action was so sudden that 
neither of the men was prepared for it. One long 
leap carried Jim Paget to the entrance and 
another brought him outside. Then bowing his 
head as if he were carrying a heavy load, he began 
to run toward the near-by woods. He was aware 
of loud calls for him to stop, but disregarding 
them all he plunged forward. If only he could 
gain the shelter of the great trees his chances of 
escaping would be greatly improved. He was ex- 
erting all his strength as he ran, leaping across 
ditches formed by the rains. Behind him were 
his pursuers, doing their utmost to overtake him. 
Every moment Jim Paget expected to hear the 
42 


THE SEARCH 


report of their guns but he was desperate now 
and determined to escape if his strength per- 
mitted. 

“Stop there! Stop or we’ll shoot!” shouted 
John Casler. 

At that moment Jim Paget’s foot was caught 
by an upturned root and he was thrown violently 
to the ground. At the same instant one of his 
pursuers fired, but the bullet passed harmlessly 
over the place where the lad was lying prostrate. 

Without hesitating an instant Jim Paget leaped 
to his feet and resumed his wild flight. 

The darkness prevented him from seeing the 
obstacles before him and several times he nearly 
fell again. Fear and determination, however, 
provided fresh motives and the desperate lad 
continued in his efforts to gain the interior of the 
woods. He was familiar with the region and was 
convinced that if he could only gain the place he 
was seeking he might be able to find some hiding 
place where he might evade the Tories. 

Already he was looking about him, hoping to 
see some spot where he might conceal himself. A 
huge fallen log loomed before him. Instantly he 
recalled the spot. In the preceding autumn he 
and Tim had chased an opossum to this shelter. 
He now remembered that the huge log was hollow. 
Without hesitation he threw himself upon the 
ground and, desperate in his terror, clawed his 
way and crawled into the opening. 

Fearful lest his feet might obtrude and betray 
43 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

his presence, he did his utmost to dig in. His eyes 
were filled with decayed wood and dust pene- 
trated his mouth and nostrils. An almost irre- 
sistible impulse to sneeze came upon him and he 
buried his face in his hand, doing his utmost to 
control it. 

He soon heard the voices of his two pursuers. 
Apparently they had halted and were standing 
near his place of refuge. The log was cracked 
and Jim Paget could see the dim outlines of the 
branches above him. He was fearful the two men 
might see him, but it was impossible even to at- 
tempt to withdraw. His sole hope was in lying 
motionless and trusting the dim light to shield 
him. 

‘ ‘ Beats all how th’ little imp got away,” 
growled John Casler. “If I could jest get my 
hands on him now he wouldn’t ever get away 
again.” 

“He wouldn’t need toe, he’s done it already,” 
said his companion. “D’yo’ think he had a 
letter?” 

“I dunno. I thought I’d find out. If he did 
have one we’d be in luck t’ get it.” 

“I don’t b’lieve the colonel would give him a 
letter. He’d know better.” 

“Whether he did or not the only thing left for 
us now is t’ put straight for Wilmington. Th’ 
sooner we’re there, th’ safer we’ll be. Colonel 
Bludworth won’t wait long after that boy gets 
44 


THE SEARCH 


back with his story o’ what happened to him.” 

“What’ll th’ colonel do?” 

“I dunno. It’ll be something quick. I know I 
don’t want t’ stay ’round in these parts. I wish 
I could have found his letter. Still I don’t know 
as it matters so very much. Th’ first house we’ll 
set fire toe will be his. And it’ll do me a world o’ 
good toe see it go up in smoke,” John Casler 
added angrily. 

1 i What makes yo ’ so down on th ’ colonel ? ’ ’ 

“He’s always been down on me, that’s the rea- 
son,” replied John Casler savagely. “I’ll get 
even with him if it takes all summer. I reckon 
he’ll sing ’nother tune right soon. There isn’t 
any use in our stayin’ ’round here any longer. 
That bound boy has got away from us an’ we 
might ’s well start for Wilmington now ’s any 
time.” 

“How far away is yore boat?” 

1 i ’Bout half a mile. ’ ’ 

“Yo’ say she’s all stocked up?” 

“Yes, suh. She’s fit. I’ve got a lot o’ flints an’ 
tinder stored aboard. I reckon it’ll all be needed, 
too, if the plans go through ’s they’ve been made. 
Come on. We’ll start for my catboat an’ get a 
good start on our trip toe Wilmington before th’ 
colonel gets ready toe start after us.” 

His pursuers were about to abandon the chase? 
The thought was inspiring to Jim Paget. He de- 
cided he would remain in his hiding place until 
45 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

the two men had had ample time to withdraw, be- 
fore he attempted to crawl out from the hollow log. 

A half dozen times within the next few minutes 
he decided that the time for him to leave had ar- 
rived, but each time he was fearful and still 
waited. He had no means for estimating the pass- 
ing time. Perhaps he had not been there as long 
as he believed. An error now might be fatal. 

At last, however, he concluded that he might 
make the attempt. Slowly and cautiously he 
pushed himself toward the opening by which he 
had entered. The work was difficult and fre- 
quently he stopped, almost convinced that John 
Casler had come back. When he was convinced 
that his alarm was baseless he renewed his efforts. 

After the lapse of a time that seemed very long, 
although only a few minutes really had passed 
after he began his exit, he once more found him- 
self in the open air. He stood erect and listened. 
The sound of a few gentle raindrops was all he 
heard. The silence was oppressive, almost terri- 
fying. He cleared his eyes of the dust as best he 
was able and was about to start toward Colonel 
Bludworth’s house when suddenly he halted. A 
new thought had come to him. With the depar- 
ture of his two foes, why should he not return to 
the Branch and look for his lost canoe? If he 
could find it he might still be able to resume his 
attempt to go to Wilmington. 


CHAPTER V 


TWO CANOES 

A ROUSED by the thought of the possibility of 
yet accomplishing the task for which he had 
first started, Jim Paget, wet, bedraggled, with the 
decayed wood of the hollow log within which he 
had sought refuge still clinging to him, ran hast- 
ily toward the place where his canoe had been 
overturned. The little craft by this time might 
have drifted far from the shore. His recent cap- 
tors might have taken it or by this time be search- 
ing for it. These thoughts and many other dire 
possibilities occurred to him, but he resolutely 
pushed forward, determined to learn the true con- 
ditions before he abandoned his attempt. 

Moving cautiously and yet swiftly, Jim Paget 
at last arrived at the place he was seeking. Be- 
fore he advanced into the exposed region he halted 
and peered intently before him. He was not able 
to discover a living object within sight. The rain 
was falling gently, but the darkness was not as 
dense as it had been when he was in the woods. 

Advancing carefully, he soon was standing di- 
rectly on the bank. He looked out over the river 
but the canoe was not to be seen. The current of 
47 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

the stream was sluggish and he was confident the 
little craft could not have drifted far. Again and 
again he dropped upon the ground and looked out 
across the water but his efforts were vain. He 
had not seen the missing canoe. 

At last he decided to move slightly farther down 
the bank. There was a bare possibility that the 
object of search had drifted ashore. The prospect 
was not promising, but he decided to test every 
possibility. 

Glancing keenly before him to assure himself 
that his enemies were not watching for him, he 
walked slowly along the shore, frequently stop- 
ping to convince himself that his presence had not 
been discovered. If John Casler and his com- 
panion did what they had suggested in the con- 
versation he had overheard, already they might 
have departed for Wilmington. 

Encouraged by the thought, Jim Paget began 
to move more rapidly. His steps quickened when 
he thought he saw on the shore before him the 
canoe for which he had been searching. As he ad- 
vanced he was convinced that his surmise was cor- 
rect. The canoe had been drawn up on the bank, 
but his surprise was keen when he discovered 
another canoe alongside his own. 

Instantly deciding that the second canoe be- 
longed to John Casler, he was aware that its pres- 
ence implied that the two men had not as yet de- 
parted. Startled by the suggestion, Jim Paget 
glanced hastily toward the woods and at that mo- 
48 


TWO CANOES 


ment discovered the forms of two men emerging 
from the midst of the trees. 

Had his presence been discovered? It was now 
impossible for the lad to flee without being seen, 
and if he should be seen the sight would instantly 
invite the men to shoot. If they did not, they 
would pursue him, and although Jim Paget was 
fleet of foot he was well aware that he would 
speedily be overtaken. 

Quickly he threw himself upon the ground and 
began to crawl toward the water. Directly in front 
of him the bank was somewhat higher than else- 
where and the water had washed away quantities 
of the earth underneath, leaving a hollow place 
wherein he might hide. 

Trembling in his excitement and fearing that 
he had been seen, the resolute boy rolled over the 
border and fell into the shallow water. Instantly 
he scrambled to the sheltered spot and then lis- 
tened intently for the approach of his recent cap- 
tors. He heard them distinctly, and it was evident 
that they were coming directly to the canoes, 
which were drawn up on the bank, only a few feet 
distant from the place where he had concealed 
himself. 

It was becoming evident to Jim Paget that his 
enemies were not aware of his presence. If they 
had discovered him he was positive they would in- 
stantly have begun to run or their voices would 
have betrayed their feelings. They were convers- 
ing in ordinary tones and as yet he was not able 
49 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

to distinguish their words. When they came to 
the bank, however, he plainly heard them. 

“Got all yore ropes ?” inquired John Casler. 

“ Yas, suh. Everything is all right and one trip 
more back to the cabin’ll be all.” 

“I reckon yo’ won’t need me fo’ that. I’ll get 
everything here fixed np an’ be ready when yo’ 
come back. We’d better put all th’ stuff in one 
canoe an’ have only our guns an’ paddles in th’ 
other. How does that strike yo’ all!” 

“All right. We don’t want toe lose any time* 
That boy may get th’ colonel started up an’ a 
passel o’ th’ rebels be down here before we all 
could get away. How d’ye s’pose th’ little imp 
ever got away from us ! ” 

“No knowin’. He’s as slippery as an eeL 
Sometimes I’m minded he’s a good bit smarter ’n 
th ’ colonel’s boy, Tim. He ’s just a bound boy, yo ’ 
know, but th’ colonel acts ’s if he was just as 
fond o’ him as if he b ’longed to his own 
family. Course he isn’t, an’ it doesn’t pay 
t’ give such trash too much rope., First 
thing yo’ know they’ll think the’ own th’ whole 
plantation. Yo’ all run back toe th’ cabin now an’ 
get th’ rest o’ th’ stuff. If there’s more’n yo’ can. 
bring alone just whistle an’ I’ll come an’ help.” 

John Casler ’s friend, whose name Jim Paget 
still did not know, at once started back toward the 
cabin, while J ohn busied himself in arranging the 
various articles on board the canoe. It was evi- 
dent to Jim Paget, who frequently thrust out his 
50 


TWO CANOES 


head and watched the man at his task, that he 
had no suspicion that any one was near. 

Abruptly a suggestion arose in the mind of Jim 
Paget. His excitement increased and he was 
watching now with an intensity that became 
stronger with every passing moment. He was 
listening for a whistle from John Casler ’s friend. 
With all his heart he hoped the man would dis- 
cover that he could not alone bring all the remain- 
ing stuff from the cabin. 

Meanwhile John Casler was working busily but 
without undue haste. Jim Paget’s eagerness in- 
creased as he watched the man when he tied the 
two canoes in such a manner that one could be 
taken in tow. He carefully placed two rifles in the 
one in which the men were to paddle. When this 
task was completed John Casler arose and glanced 
impatiently toward the woods. 

‘ ‘ Doggone it ! 9 ’ he muttered. ‘ 4 What ’s the mat- 
ter with that man? He ought toe been here five 
minutes ago. ; I reckon I ’d better go an ’ see what ’s 
wrong. ’ 9 

In his impatience John Casler started toward 
the woods. Jim Paget was trembling in his eager- 
ness. He lifted his head higher above the bank 
and almost painfully watched him. The man was 
walking rapidly but to the watching boy his move- 
ments seemed unnaturally slow. Before he gained 
the woods Jim Paget arose and ran swiftly toward 
the two canoes. 

In spite of his haste, Jim Paget did not forget 

51 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

the need of caution. He hastily inspected the two 
canoes and their contents and then carefully took 
his position in the stern of the one he was to pad- 
dle, He was kneeling' and holding the paddle 
ready for his first dip. 

Before he struck the water he looked back af 
the place where last he had seen John Casler, 
Even in the dim light he was aware that the man 
had stopped and was looking behind him at the 
river. 

Not a moment could be lost. Jim Paget, striv- 
ing to act noiselessly, dipped his paddle and the 
canoes slowly moved forward. The laden canoe 
was not heavy and in a brief time the speed was 
increased. 

Suddenly Jim Paget was aware of a commotion 
on the bank. It was plain that the departure of 
the canoes had been discovered, John Casler ran 
to the shore and as he stopped short on the bank, 
he shouted, “Hi there! Come back here! Come 
back !’ ’ "When no attention was given to his fran- 
tic hail he called again, “Stop! Stop there or I’ll 
shoot yo’! Bring back those canoes !” 

The one great fear in the heart of Jim Paget 
was that his enemy might be able to carry out his 
threat to shoot. He was aware that two guns were 
lying on the bottom of the canoe he was paddling 
but he had no means of knowing whether or not 
the two Tories had other weapons. 

His fear provided an additional incentive, and 
as he was by this time at least sixty feet from the 
52 


TWO CANOES 

bank be bad left, Jim Paget was aware that speed 
provided bis best defense.: If tbe Tories did shoot, 
then every additional yard be placed between them 
made tbe target more indistinct* If they did not 
have any guns, then be would be still safer as be 
Bed farther away* 

“Come back here! Bring back those canoes !” 
The calls and cries still followed him, but Jim 
Paget somehow was convinced now that he had 
frothing to fear from tbe firing of tbe men behind 
him. They would already have shot at him if it 
bad been within their power to do so. 

Eelieved by the assurance, Jim Paget still knew 
that not as yet had he escaped all danger. There 
were bends in the stream and places where the 
banks were not far apart* There was a possibility 
that by running swiftly ahead his enemies might 
gain some place of advantage in advance and 
;when he tried to pass they might leap into the 
Stream and seize him. He clearly understood that 
it would be impossible for him to maintain the 
speed at which he was moving. Already he was 
breathing hard and his arms were beginning to 
feel the effect of the strain. 

However, speed was essential to safety and the 
struggling boy did not relax his labors. Almost 
instinctively he guided his course nearer to the 
opposite shore. He was doing his utmost to avoid 
splashing in his paddling but in spite of his efforts 
an occasional break occurred. 

Jim Paget had no means by which to estimate 
53 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

the passing of the time. As he occasionally 
glanced at the shore it seemed to the desperate 
lad that now he was far below the place where he 
had seized the canoes. Actually not more than 
ten minutes had elapsed when at last Jim Paget 
was compelled to rest. His breathing was la- 
bored, streams of perspiration were running down 
his face and body, and the muscles of his back and 
arms were so stiff and sore that further effort 
was well-nigh impossible. 

The lad ceased paddling and permitted the 
canoes to drift. He looked behind but not a living 
object was to be seen. The occasional heavy croak 
of a bullfrog was the only sound to break the 
tense stillness that rested over the water. At this 
point the stream was somewhat wider and even 
the shore from which he had come was dim and 
indistinct. 

Jim Paget was intensely anxious. Now that he 
had decided to renew his attempt to go to Wil- 
mington in spite of his first apparent defeat he 
was much more eager to succeed. When Colonel 
Bludworth had told him he was to start, his feel- 
ing had been more a reluctance to make the long 
trip on a warm summer night than a fear of any- 
thing that might threaten him on the way. 

His visits in Wilmington had been frequent, 
though he had not often gone by canoe. The 
Branch did not provide an ideal sailing course. 
It had too many shoals and its channel was 
54 


TWO CANOES 


crooked. In spite of those difficulties, however, 
both he and Tim had often sailed to the town for 
supplies and never before had they been in any 
worse peril than a drenching from a thunder- 
storm or a brief delay when they had run aground 
on some shifting sand bar. 

The condition now was markedly different, as 
Jim Paget clearly understood. Men who were 
relentless were eager to take him. If again he 
should be in their power he well knew he would be 
dealt with without consideration. His life was in 
peril. 

And yet Jim Paget somehow was elated. The 
excitement through which thus far he had suc- 
cessfully passed, the knowledge that the Tories 
really were expecting to assemble at Wilmington, 
the threat he had heard to burn Colonel Blud- 
worth’s house and possessions, all combined to 
increase the anger of the desperate boy. If it 
was possible to succeed in entering the town and 
in learning from Sim Miller what really was to be 
feared he was determined to do so. 

A brief rest was all that Jim Paget permitted 
himself to take before he resumed his task. He 
was paddling now more leisurely, although he 
was no less desirous than before of making prog- 
ress. Wilmington was still at least ten miles 
away. 

Alternately resting and paddling, Jim Paget 
continued on his way. His sturdy body was bet- 
55 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


ter able to endure the steady work than it had 
been in the desperate efforts he made when first 
he had seized the canoes. 

However, he was not molested nor did he see 
any one until he came near to the place he was 
seeking. About half a mile from Wilmington he 
was hailed by a party in a rowboat with a demand 
for his destination. When Jim Paget explained 
that he was going to Wilmington he was roughly 
ordered to go back. The voice, the manner, even 
the uniform of the man, which Jim Paget saw in 
the dim light, combined to convince the lad that 
now the only thing to be done was to obey. 

“What’s goin’ on in Wilmington!” Jim Paget 
inquired innocently. 

“The Royalists are there and some regulars. 
No one is permitted to enter without special per- 
mission.” 

“That’s too bad. I’ll have toe go back home. 
How long’ll it be before I can come toe town!” 

“Not very long,” replied the guard good-na- 
turedly. Doubtless he had taken Jim Paget to be 
one of the country boys from the adjacent region 
and was sympathetic for the lad in his disappoint- 
ment at not being permitted to enter town that 
night. 

Jim Paget, however, was far from feeling down- 
cast. He had already obtained the very informa- 
tion he had come to seek. “S’pose I come back in 
a couple o’ days!” he inquired blandly. 

“I don’t know anything about that. Our men 
56 


TWO CANOES 


will be here a spell, I think. Of course they won’t 
stay in Wilmington all the while, but some of 
them ’ll be there all the time. No, sonny, I don’t 
believe there’ll be any use in coming back under 
a week. ’ ’ 

Jim Paget slowly turned his canoes and in ap- 
parent disappointment started up the river. In 
his heart, however, there was great rejoicing. He 
had knowledge that confirmed the reports he al- 
ready had made to Colonel Bludworth and he had 
escaped the danger of trying to enter Wilming- 
ton. 

There still remained, however, the peril of en- 
countering John Casler and his companion; Jim 
Paget, at the recollection, at once became thought- 
ful, and peered keenly across the water as he 
started on his return up the Cape Fear River. 


CHAPTER YI 


THE LANDING AT NEGRO HEAD POINT 

I T was nearly five o’clock the following morn- 
ing when at last Jim Paget returned to Colonel 
Bludworth’s plantation. He was wet, bedraggled 
and so weary that every step, as he made his way 
through the woods, required a special effort. 

The sight of the familiar buildings, however, 
provided a fresh incentive and the tired boy 
turned into the path that led past the shop to the 
house. His surprise was great when he discov- 
ered that some one was at work in the place. It 
certainly was not the custom of the colonel to rise 
at that unseemly hour, and yet as Jim Paget heard 
the voices of the men he was convinced that the 
colonel surely was there and so were Tim and 
Lige. They were talking as they worked and their 
tones were distinctly heard above the noise of the 
hammers. 

“ Where did yo’ all come from!” demanded 
the colonel, as Jim Paget stepped through the open 
doorway. ‘ ‘ When did y o ’ get back ? Did yo ’ have 
any trouble gettin’ into Wilmington? What was 
it that Sim Miller told yo’?” 

“Give him a chance, pop,” protested Tim with 
a laugh. “Can’t yo’ see he’s ’bout beat out?” 

58 


THE LANDING AT NEGBO HEAD POINT 


“Yo’ do look ’s if yo’ all had troubles o’ yore 
own,” acknowledged Colonel Bludworth, glancing 
sympathetically at Jim Paget. “ Maybe yo’d bet- 
ter go into th’ house first and get a wash. After 
Aunt Judy has given yo’ a snatch o’ ham an’ co’n 
bread I reckon yo’ll feel a bit more cheerful like.” 

“I’m all right,” protested Jim Paget sturdily. 

“Yo’ don’t look th’ part then, that’s all I can 
say,” said the colonel. All three were eager to 
hear their friend’s report, but his plight was so 
pitiful that not one had the heart to press him 
unduly. 

“I got there,” said Jim Paget simply. 

“Did y’ see Sim Miller?” 

“No, suh.” 

‘ ‘ I told yo ’ to ’ see him p ’tic ’lar. ’ ’ 

“I know it, but yo’ all just wait a minute an’ 
yo’ll understand.” With this brief introduction 
Jim Paget related the tale of his adventures up 
to the time of his return. 

His hearers listened eagerly. An occasional 
interruption to express their disgust or anger 
when John Casler’s treacherous deeds were men- 
tioned, provided the only breaks until the lad 
ended his story. 

“An yo’ didn’t meet a soul on yore way back?” 
inquired the colonel. 

“Not one.” 

“An’ yo’ hid John Casler’s canoe?” 

“Yas, suh.” 

“S’pose yo’ can find it again?” 

59 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Yas, suh.” 

“An’ all th’ truck is still in it?” 

‘‘It was when I left it.” 

“ Y’ say there’s a patrol right now all ’round 
Wilmington?” 

“ That’s what they said.” 

“I wish yo’ might have seen Sim Miller. Still 
I reckon even he couldn’t ’a’ told yo’ much 
more’n yo’ found out without him. It’s all right, 
sonny. It’ll sure clamp things down now.” 

“What do yo’ mean?” 

“Never mind now, yo’ all just run ’long an’ 
wash up an’ let Aunt Judy get yo’ some breakfast. 
Then after yo’ve had some sleep come out here 
an’ we’ll tell yo’ all ’bout it.” 

Jim Paget looked about him in perplexity. The 
floor of the shop was nearly covered with baskets, 
rope, a block, mallets, jugs and many other uten- 
sils. What did it all mean? The lad was mys- 
tified, though he was positive that the colonel had 
a definite plan in mind and that somehow it was 
directly or indirectly connected with his own re- 
cent trip to Wilmington. 

The expressions on the faces of Tim and Lige 
confirmed him in his opinion, but he was too weary 
even to remain for them to explain to him what 
it was clearly evident they were eager to relate. 

“I’ll see yo’ all soon,” said Jim Paget, as he 
turned and departed for the house. 

In a brief time Aunt Judy had prepared break- 
fast for the tired and hungry boy. She expressed 
60 


THE LANDING AT NEGRO HEAD POINT 


herself vigorously concerning his appearance, and 
apparently was somewhat divided in her feelings 
between her sympathy with him and her disgust 
over his mud-bespattered face and clothing. 

After Jim Paget had removed the traces of his 
recent experiences and was ready for the food 
which Lige’s mother prepared for him he seated 
himself before the rude table in the kitchen and 
did ample justice to Aunt Judy’s viands. 

“Yo’ all sho’ly was hungry, chile,” said the 
kind-hearted colored woman, when at last Jim 
Paget arose. “Yo’ insides must be made o’ injy 
rubber.” 

“I reckon yo’re correct, Aunt Judy,” responded 
Jim Paget to whom the world appeared much less 
gloomy than it had a half-hour before. “I’m 
goin’ toe my room now toe get a nap, an’ when I 
wake up yo’ll see me again. I shan’t forget yo’, 
Aunt Judy.” 

It was late in the day when Jim Paget arose 
from his bed. He was unaware that three times 
Tim had come to the room, each time hoping to 
find the lad awake. He would have aroused him 
had it not been for the kind-hearted colonel who 
had insisted upon permitting the weary lad to 
sleep. “He’s done his part,” declared the col- 
onel, “an’ I reckon we can go on with our plan 
just as well without him. He’ll be all th’ better 
when he does wake up. Let him sleep, lad, let him 
sleep. ’ ’ 

True to his own suggestion, Colonel Bludworth, 
61 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


together with Tim and Lige, was busy all day long. 
There were frequent and secret trips to the shore 
of the North Branch, where the catboat was kept 
and also to the place where the canoe was con- 
cealed. On these trips, planks, sacks of food con- 
sisting chiefly of corn bread, baked hams and pork, 
ropes, hammers, a rude block and tackle and va- 
rious other implements were stored on board the 
catboat. 

The little boat itself was drawn far up a little 
creek which emptied into the Branch and after the 
first trip to the boat had been accomplished, Tim, 
with a rifle in his hands, was left as a guard while 
the colonel and Lige continued making the trips 
between the shop and the shore, bringing their 
strange cargo for the little catboat. A casual 
observer would have conceded that the colonel was 
preparing for an expedition but one that was 
very unlike his ordinary hunting trips. 

It was at the very time when Jim Paget awoke 
that Tim entered his room and said, “I didn’t 
know but yo’ was waitin’ fo’ Gabriel’s trumpet 
toe summon yo’. D’ yo’ know how long yo’ been 
asleep?” 

“No. How long have I?” 

“All day. ’Bout fo’teen hours I reckon.” 

4 4 Why didn ’t y o ’ call me ? ’ ’ 

4 4 Pop said toe let yo’ sleep.” 

“I reckon I slept all right.” 

44 Yo’ sho’ly did. We are ’bout ready toe start.” 

4 4 Start? Where yo’ all goin’ ?” 

62 


THE LANDING AT NEGRO HEAD POINT 


“I don’t exactly know, but pop says we must 
be on our way in ’bout an hour from now, so yo’ 
better get movin , . ,, 

“But I don’t see — ” began Jim Paget. 

“No more yo’ don’t an’ not much more do I,” 
interrupted Tim, laughing as he spoke. “Th’ 
main thing is toe get started. Better let Aunt 
Judy fill yo’ up an’ then come out toe th’ shop.” 

“I’ll come now.” 

“ No, yo ’ better do like I ’m tellin ’ yo ’. May be a 
long time befo’ yo’ all taste Aunt Judy’s cookin’ 
again. ’ ’ 

“Are we goin’ afoot or by boat?” 

“By boat, I reckon.” 

“Then we must be headed fo’ Wilmington,” 
suggested Jim Paget positively. 

“Pop hasn’t told me. We’ll find out ’bout all 
that later on. Better hurry up now and get ready. 
Everything else will come along afterwards. Yo’ 
can trust pop every time an’ all th’ time, that is, 
if we don’t stand in his way. An’ even then I 
reckon we can give a guess ’bout what’s likely toe 
happen,” Tim added laughingly. 

Thus bidden, Jim Paget hastened to the kitchen 
where in response to his appeals Aunt Judy speed- 
ily prepared food for him. A few minutes after- 
ward Jim Paget arrived at the shop where it at 
once became manifest that the colonel was impa- 
tient to depart on the strange expedition, the sug- 
gestion of which had puzzled Jim Paget and con- 
63 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


cerning which Tim had declared he possessed only 
slight information. 

4 4 Everything all right ? ’ ’ inquired the colonel, as 
soon as Jim Paget appeared. 4 4 If ’tis, we’ll start. 
We want toe be ready toe go down th’ Branch 
right after sunset.” 

The two white boys glanced at each other ques- 
tioningly, but Tim merely smiled in response to 
the implied query of his friend. If he was aware 
of the details of his father’s plan he did not 
explain. 

Mystified by the activities and aware that an 
expedition of importance was being undertaken, 
Jim Paget shouldered the rifle which the colonel 
handed him and then at the word of the latter fol- 
lowed as he led the way over the well-trodden 
path to the Branch. 

When they arrived, Colonel Bludworth sum- 
moned Lige, who had been sent in advance to pre- 
pare the canoe, and as soon as he had inspected 
its contents he turned to his young companions 
and said, 4 4 Now, Lige, I reckon it’s nigh enough 
toe sunset fo’ yo’ an’ Jim Paget toe fetch th’ 
catboat over here. Watch out, both o’ yo’, an’ 
don’t let any doggone Tory suspect what yo’re 
doin’. Better pole the catboat an’ keep her close 
in shore. That’ll be th’ safest an’ if yo’ see John 
Casler or any o’ his friends just whistle and Tim 
, an’ I’ll know we’re needed right where yo’ all ’ll 
be.” 

Still puzzled by the directions of the colonel, Jim 
64 


THE LANDING AT NEGRO HEAD POINT 


Paget departed with Lige and a few minutes af- 
terward arrived at the place where the catboat 
was concealed by the rank bushes that were grow- 
ing along the hanks of the little creek on which the 
boat had been hidden. Jim Paget did not ask 
any questions, but he was quickly aware that the 
catboat was loaded with a strange cargo. 

Lige was watching his companion and laughed 
as he said, “ Tears like th’ colonel is startin’ fo’ 
somewhar. ’ 9 

“It shore does. Yo’ don’t know where we’re 
goin’, do yo’?” 

“Can’t say as I does. Looks like we’s a long 
way from thar, but I reckon we’ll be on th’ way 
right soon.” 

“Seems so,” responded Jim Paget, as he seized 
one of the poles and with the aid of Lige began to 
push the laden craft down the inlet. A sharp 
outlook was maintained, but when they entered the 
larger stream no signs of the presence of their en- 
emies had been discovered. 

Convinced that thus far they had not been seen, 
the two boys, mindful of the colonel’s directions, 
poled the catboat down the Branch, keeping close 
to shore and all the time watching for the Tories 
to appear. None had been seen when at last they 
arrived at the spot where Colonel Bludworth and 
Tim were waiting with the canoe for them to 
appear. 

“See any Tories?” inquired the colonel, as Lige 
guided the catboat alongside. 

65 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Not one,” answered Jim Paget. “That 
doesn’t mean, though, that no one saw us.” 

“We’ll have toe risk that,” said the colonel 
quickly. “It’s dark enough now so’t we can put 
out. We’ll get on board an’ set sail.” 

In the dim light of the summer evening the little 
catboat, with its excited passengers and strange 
cargo, started on its voyage down the North 
Branch for the Cape Fear River. 

A constant watch was maintained, and as the 
wind was light and the little party was compelled 
to tack frequently their progress was correspond- 
ingly slow. In spite of the short distance, it was 
after ten o’clock when at last they were sailing 
down the Cape Fear River. Here, too, their prog- 
ress was slow, for the wind had almost died away. 
Occasionally they resorted to their poles and twice 
they grounded. The movement of the catboat, 
however, was so slow that they did not have any 
difficulty and each time resumed their delayed 
voyage down the stream. 

Midnight had come when at last Colonel Blud- 
worth steered the catboat into a little cove. Under 
his direction the boys took in sail and made fast 
to a small cypress on the bank. 

“Nigger Head Point,” whispered Jim Paget to 
Tim. “Are we goin’ toe stay here or is th’ colonel 
thinkin’ o’ goin’ on at sunup?” 

“Yo’ wait,” was Tim’s reply. 

Convinced that waiting was the sole manner of 
learning the destination, as well as the purpose of 
66 


THE LANDING AT NEGRO HEAD POINT 


the expedition, Jim Paget said no more, as he at 
once busied himself according to the directions of 
the colonel. Apparently the leader was calm and 
not in the least aroused by any fear of attack by 
the hated Tories. 

“Here, yo’ boys, put this duffel aboard th’ 
canoe/ ’ he ordered in a low voice, at the same time 
handing his young companions various articles 
that helped to make up the cargo of the catboat. 
Two rifles first of all were extended to them. 
“Put ’em in easy reach, one in the bow, an’ one in 
th’ stern. If yo’ all capsize yo’ won’t have any- 
thing toe fight with, so I don’t need toe warn yo’ 
all toe be careful. Yo’ll have a full boatload an’ 
yo’ll need toe be on th’ watch all th’ time.” 

When at last the canoe was laden as the colonel 
desired, he said, “Now on this first trip I want 
Jim Paget toe come with me. I’ll show him 
where we’re toe go, an’ then on th’ next trip he 
can go with Tim an’ show him where toe land. 
Then Tim can go with Lige next time an’ in that 
way we’ll all have a hand in the business an’ no 
one’ll get so much of it that he won’t be fit fo’ 
what comes next. I just want toe tell yo’, boys, 
that ev’rything depends on yo’ all now. Come 
’long, Jim Paget.” 

The colonel held the canoe with his hand, while 
Jim Paget, grasping a paddle, took his place in 
the bow of the treacherous little craft; then the 
colonel took a similar position in the stern. Tim 
pushed them out from the shore and the two occu- 
67 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


pants, clipping their paddles in unison, moved 
steadily up the marshy, muddy stream near the 
outlet of which the catboat had landed. 

Jim Paget was still puzzled. He had recognized 
their landing place as in a small bay into which a 
sluggish stream, the outlet of the adjacent swamp, 
emptied. The spot was not unfamiliar, for Negro 
Head Point abounded in foxes and occasionally 
he had gone there with the colonel to trap or hunt 
the animals. The present project, however, was 
still wrapped in mystery and Jim Paget was 
aware that it was useless to make inquiries of his 
companion. 

Silently the colonel guided the canoe until 
twenty minutes had elapsed. He then steered the 
craft alongside a bank which appeared to be firm 
and strong. By his direction both stepped ashore 
and the contents of the canoe were soon landed. 

“Now go back for another load,” directed Colo- 
nel Bludworth when the task was completed. 
“Fetch Tim with yo’ and then I’ll send him back 
for Lige an’ the rest o’ th’ duffel.” 

Jim Paget, without a word, took his place in the 
stern of the canoe and at once departed. When 
forty-five minutes had passed he and Tim were 
once more at the place where he had landed with 
the colonel. The second load was quickly placed 
on the bank and then Tim set forth to bring Lige 
and as much as possible of the remaining cargo. 

“Couldn’t bring the planks, pop,” explained 
68 


THE LANDING AT NEGRO HEAD POINT 

Tim. “Had toe leave ’em an’ a lot o’ th’ other 
stuff. ’ ’ 

1 1 I knew yo ’ couldn ’t bring all. I expected we ’d 
have toe go back fo’ a part. I ’ranged so ’t some 
would be here and some on board th’ catboat. 
Maybe we’ll have toe take it all back befo’ we’re 
done but we ’ve got enough f o ’ th ’ present an ’ we ’ll 
soon know ’bout th’ rest. Fill up yore arms and 
follow me. I’ll take Old Bess. She’d be a pretty 
heavy load fo’ yo’ all. Come along.” 

Thus speaking, the colonel led the way over the 
firmer ground with which he appeared to be thor- 
oughly familiar. The boys followed in single file, 
each bearing his burden. No one spoke. The 
mosquitoes were about them in clouds. Occa- 
sionally one of the boys stepping into a soft spot 
was nearly thrown to the ground. A low warning 
from the leader greeted such mishaps but no halt 
was called. 

Steadily the little force advanced until Jim 
Paget was almost ready to quit. His load was 
heavy, the muscles in his back were aching and 
every step now required a special effort. 

At last, when it seemed to the troubled boy that 
he could not continue, the colonel abruptly 
stopped and said, “Drop yore bundles a spell. 
I’ll make shore this is th’ place I’m lookin’ fo’.” 

Gladly the three boys cast their loads upon the 
ground, but not even the relief thus afforded pre- 
vented them from following the colonel’s actions 
69 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


with keen interest. He first looked all about him 
as if to assure himself that their recent approach 
had not been discovered. Apparently satisfied, he 
then peered long and steadily in one direction. 
Naturally the three boys all looked in that direc- 
tion also but the only distinctive object they saw 
was a giant cypress about a hundred feet distant 
which lifted its huge trunk high above all the 
near-by trees. 

There was, however, nothing in the tree to in- 
dicate that it possessed any special interest, and 
the boys then turned to follow the next movements 
of the colonel. He now was examining the 
ground around him. For a moment Jim Paget 
looked anxiously at him, for his actions were so 
strange that they implied that the man had lost 
his head. He was turning swiftly, occasionally 
moving forward, muttering to himself as if he 
were keenly disappointed. 

He stopped abruptly and his feeling of deep 
relief was manifest in the tones of his voice as he 
said, ‘ i There it is. I didn’t reckon I had lost my 
bearin’s altogether. Now we’re all right an’ can 
go right ahead.” 


CHAPTER VII 


THE HOLLOW CYPRESS 

I N the early light of the morning all three boys 
saw a hole, at least four feet in diameter, in 
the ground before them. Apparently it had been 
made originally by the upturning of the roots of 
a great cypress in a storm. A mass of decaying, 
tangled roots stood like a barrier behind it, the 
wall presenting an appearance almost as if it had 
been made by the hands of many men. 

“What is it?” inquired Tim, who was aroused 
as much by the manifest interest of his father as 
he was by the sight of the hole that had been left 
by the tangled mass. Both Jim Paget and Lige 
were kneeling on the ground, peering into the 
dark, open space. 

“I’ll tell yo’ all ’bout it, boys,” began the colo- 
nel. “I was out here one day last fall fox- 
huntin’. I took after the fox an’ th’ dogs went 
wild when they drove him to this cover. At first 
they didn’t seem much toe like th’ idea of fol- 
lowin’ him into that hole, but I drove ’em on. 
Pretty soon I heard a faint yelpin’ that I couldn’t 
just locate. None o’ th’ dogs had come back so I 
was certain they must be under th’ ground some- 
where. I followed th’ sound an’ it led me straight 
71 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

towards that big cypress over yonder. When I 
come closer I could hear th’ dogs makin’ a great 
fuss. An’ th’ sound ’peared toe come right from 
th’ inside o’ that cypress tree.” 

The boys were listening intently and Jim Paget 
was the most excited of all. Already he had sus- 
pected what the plan of the colonel was to be. 
He looked at the huge tree and then toward 
Market Wharf in Wilmington. The dock was not 
more than four hundred yards distant and it might 
be possible for the little party to be seen by men 
who came down to the river. The excited boy, 
however, was silent, waiting for Colonel Blud- 
worth to continue his story. 

“I made up my mind that th’ old tree was hol- 
low,” resumed the colonel, “but I didn’t know 
how far up it went. Finally I whistled fo’ th’ 
dogs, but I didn’t want toe give up. The next day 
I came down here again an’ brought Mose with 
me.” Moses, or “Mose,” as he was commonly 
known, was a young negro about twenty years of 
age who had been born on the colonel’s plantation 
and was one of his most trusty slaves. “When 
I showed Mose that hole,” explained the colonel, 
pointing to the excavation made by the torn roots, 
“he declared he was goin’ in toe find out where it 
led an’ what about it.” 

“Did he find that it led straight toe th’ old cy- 
press?” asked Tim. 

“Straight as a ramrod,” replied Colonel Blud- 
worth. “He crawled in an’ went plum’ through 
72 


THE HOLLOW CYPRESS 

toe th’ old tree. But that wasn’t all he found,” 
he added quietly. 

“What else did he find?” demanded Tim. 

“He found that th’ hole led into a sort o’ cov- 
ered ditch like, an’ th’ base o’ th’ tree was th’ end 
o ’ it. He went all the way through an ’ when he got 
inside th’ tree he looked up an’ saw it was hollow 
fo’ at least fifty feet from the ground.” 

“It’s a wonder it hasn’t blown over in one o’ 
th’ winter storms,” suggested Jim Paget. 

“It’s strong,” said the colonel. “It’ll stand a 
lot o’ wind. Mose said it was hollow fo’ at least 
fifty feet up as I was tellin’ yo’ all, but it might 
be hollow even farther up than that. Still I 
reckon fifty feet will do all right for what we’re 
after.” 

“What yo’ plannin’ toe do?” inquired Tim, 
who now was as highly excited as Jim Paget. 

“First thing, I’m goin’ toe place Jim Paget out 
on th’ point as a lookout. We’re mighty close toe 
Wilmington an’ we don’t want John Casler or 
any o’ th’ other doggone Tories a spyin’ on us. 
Now yo’ better start right in,” the colonel added, 
“just as soon as I have told yo’ a little more 
’bout what we’re a goin’ toe do. I’ve brought 
along some stuff we can drag through the tunnel 
an’ when we get it once inside th’ old cypress, 
we’ll haul it up an’ build a platform fifty feet or 
more right up there, inside o’ th’ tree. We’ll haul 
everything up, for I’ve brought along a block and 
tackle as yo’ may have noticed.” 

73 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


“How yo’ goin’ to rig it up, pop?” inquired 
Tim. 

“First off we’ll go in an’ see if we can climb up. 
If we can, we’ll put two or three timbers in there 
an’ rig up our block an’ tackle. We’ll have toe 
cut two or three portholes both for light an’ as 
places where we can let Old Bess sing her song 
toe th’ Tories. I’ve heard since Jim Paget went 
toe Wilmington that th’ Tories an’ that doggone 
John Casler are plannin’ toe get some help from 
th’ reg’lers an’ use th’ old town as a sort o’ base 
o’ supplies an’ a meetin’ place. An’ then they’re 
goin’ toe start right in toe settle scores with some 
o’ th’ patriots o’ th’ region.” 

“How did yo’ find out?” asked Jim Paget. 

“Never mind how I found out. It’s enough fo’ 
yo’ all that I know what I’m talkin’ ’bout. My 
place is toe be one o’ th’ first that’s toe receive a 
visit from the rascals.” 

“Yas, suh, that’s just what John Casler said 
toe me!” exclaimed Jim Paget. “I thought he 
was mostly talkin’ an’ there wasn’t much more 
toe it. I didn’t believe he’d dare try it.” 

“He wouldn’t if he was alone,” said the colonel. 
“He’s a cur dog, a yellow cur, an’ hasn’t th’ fight 
o’ a ground hog if he’s th’ only one toe do th’ 
fightin’. But yo’ get a pack o’ curs, they’re just 
like wolves, they’ll fight then. So John Casler 
will fight if there’s toe be good backin’, an’ I 
reckon he ’d like toe begin with me. ’ ’ 

74 


THE HOLLOW CYPRESS 


“ ’Twould be more like him toe begin by settin’ 
onr place on fire,” declared Tim angrily. 

“So ’twould,” agreed his father, “an’ that’s 
one reason why I’m here on Nigger Head Point 
this mornin’. I’m goin’ toe git th’ start on him. 
Now run along, Jim Paget,” he added, turning to 
the bound boy as he spoke, “an’ take yore place 
in that cypress yonder. I reckon yo’ won’t have 
toe stay there long. Just as soon as we get a 
floorin’ fixed an’ cut a few portholes we can do 
our own watchin’ from th’ inside o’ th’ big tree. 
But, sonny, yo’ must keep a sharp lookout. If 
we should get shot before we get started, th’ fat 
would all be in th’ fire. Yo’ an’ I would lose our 
home, toe say nothin’ o’ some o’ th’ widow women 
an’ orphans ’long the Cape Fear. Now get toe 
it, boys. We must rig up th’ place in a hurry.” 

The loquacious and easy-going man suddenly 
appeared to be transformed. After Jim Paget 
started for the place where he was to be the watch 
he glanced behind and saw the colonel crawling 
into the entrance of the tunnel, dragging a heavy 
load behind him. Hammers, nails, ropes, saws, 
the block and tackle were to be taken first and 
every one of the trio was laden to the limit of his 
strength when at last they disappeared from 
sight. 

Jim Paget hastened to the place assigned him 
and climbed high into a tall cypress. As soon as 
he was settled in his position he looked across 
75 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


the river to Wilmington. He was unable to dis- 
cover any signs of unusual activity. No one was 
loitering on Market Wharf, which fact of itself 
was unusual. Whenever he had gone in summer 
days to Wilmington he had landed at Market 
Wharf and usually there was an assemblage of 
loiterers there, white and black. To-day, however, 
not a man was in sight. 

There were unusual sounds, however, that came 
across the water. Jim Paget was positive that he 
heard an occasional shrill note of a fife and the 
rolling of drums also was heard. Plainly, events 
of a stirring nature were occurring in Wilmington, 
even if Market Wliarf apparently was deserted. 

Jim Paget turned to look at the great hollow 
cypress where his friends were busy. No one was 
within sight there, but the excited lad was readily 
able to picture to himself the activities within the 
tree. Colonel Bludworth was making a fortress 
of the giant which towered high above all the 
trees and bushes of the Point. 

He believed that he understood the reason why 
the colonel had worked so long on Old Bess. The 
colonePs unusual labors now were easily ex- 
plained. The portholes that were to be cut were 
for the big gun. 

Jim Paget glanced keenly up and down the 
shore and then again at Wilmington across the 
river. If Old Bess should speak, would the smoke 
following the discharge reveal the hiding place? 
He was somewhat uneasy over the possibility but 
76 


THE HOLLOW CYPRESS 

his interest in his immediate task was too keen to 
permit him to borrow trouble. His part now was 
to protect the hidden workers from their enemies. 

Meanwhile the little party with Colonel Blud- 
worth was working strenuously on their fortress 
in the big cypress. Each made his way without 
difficulty through the long, narrow tunnel and all 
discovered when they gained the great hollow base 
of the high tree that there was not sufficient light 
to enable them to accomplish their task. High 
above them appeared an occasional flash of light 
that made its way into the dark interior through 
a crack in the outer rim. 

To Tim the sight was not inspiring because the 
distance seemed to be too great to be covered. 
Was their effort doomed to failure? How were 
they ever to climb to the heights above them? 
Then, too, there was the possibility that other oc- 
cupants already might have discovered the place 
of refuge. Tim recalled the story of his father 
about the fox which had found a shelter in the 
hollow tree and also for a moment he had a vision 
of the huge snake that Jim Paget had killed a few 
days before when he first had learned of the das- 
tardly plans of John Casler and his fellow plot- 
ters. Tim shuddered and for a moment he fancied 
he felt one of the slimy creatures crawling over 
his feet. 

His attention, however, was speedily drawn to 
the words of his father and for the moment other 
thoughts were banished. 

77 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


“I brought along a bow an’ arrow,’ ’ explained 
the colonel, “an’ I’ve got a tallow dip here too. 
In just a minute I’ll have a light.” He drew a 
tallow candle from his pocket and, using his flint 
and tinder, speedily had the candle burning. 

The light was flickering and feeble, but it was 
sufficient to enable all three to see about them, as 
well as above them. The ground beneath their 
feet was soft and yielding, consisting chiefly of the 
decayed wood that had fallen from the interior of 
the tree. The great circular walls appeared to be 
smooth, and, far above them, near the spot where 
the sunlight was seen, was what almost appeared 
to be a beam or rafter that extended across the 
open space. 

“That’s a strange thing,” explained the colonel. 
“I’ve had that rafter up yonder tested an’ its 
strong enough toe hold a man’s weight.” 

“When did yo’ try it out?” asked Tim in a low 
voice. 

“Not long ago. I reckoned we might want a 
hidin’ place some day if th’ doggone Tories drove 
us out o’ our homes, so I tested it out. Now watch 
me,” he added. 

Selecting an arrow to which a long cord was at- 
tached, he directed Tim to fasten the cord to a 
strong rope. When this had been done the colo- 
nel carefully drew back the bowstring and let 
fly the arrow. 

True to its course the arrow shot up until it 
crossed the beam and then fell on the opposite 
78 


THE HOLLOW CYPRESS 


side, almost at the feet of the watching boys. Both 
seized the string attached to the arrow and began 
to pull. In a brief time the rope was drawn over 
the beam and the boys, after testing it, declared it 
was strong enough to bear the weight of any load 
they desired to hoist. 

“First thing is fo’ one o’ us toe get up there. 
Here, Lige,” the colonel added quickly, “yo’re th’ 
lightest. We’ll fix this rope under yore arms an’ 
give yo’ a lift.” 

“Yo’ mean I is toe go up yonder?” asked Lige. 
The light was not sufficient to enable Tim or his 
father to see that Lige was terrified. The height 
was appalling and no one knew what uncanny 
creatures might be waiting for him in the dark- 
ness above. 

“Co’se yo’re toe go!” said Colonel Blud worth 
sharply. “Yo’re th’ lightest, as I told yo’. All 
yo’ all will have toe do is toe sit astride that beam 
an’ when Tim an’ I haul up a plank yo’ just swing 
it ’round into place. Th’ planks are a bit long, I 
made ’em so on purpose. Swing ’em up above 
an’ arrange ’em so they’ll have a rest on th’ beam. 
Thqt’ll help toe keep ’em in place and hold ’em 
up. Th’ floorin’ naturally will be slantin’ a good 
bit, but that won’t do any harm. All we need is a 
platform big enough fo’ all fo’ o’ us toe stand on 
an’ have a bit o’ room left toe store our stuff. Up 
yo’ go now, Lige, an’ as soon as yo’re set give us 
th’ word. Tim an’ I’ll haul up th’ planks. When 
we’ve got six up there, then I’ll come up next an’ 
79 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


we’ll begin work. We mustn’t make any more 
noise ’n we can help. I don’t believe any o’ the 
doggone Tories ’ll suspicion us, but it’s well toe 
be on th’ safe side.” 

The rope was carefully adjusted to Lige’s body, 
the colonel drawing it carefully under the lad’s 
arms. Twice by his direction Tim was lifted a 
yard or more and then dropped to the ground. 

“It stands th’ testin’ all right,” declared the 
colonel. “Yo’re as safe as y’ would be in yo’re 
own bed, Lige. Take this mallet an’ be sure toe 
hang on when yo’ climb onto yore perch. Here 
yo’ go.” 

At once Colonel Bludworth and his boy began to 
pull, and Lige speedily disappeared from sight in 
the upper darkness. 

“He’s as good a climber ’s a monkey,” said the 
colonel in a low voice to his son, when after they 
had hoisted the colored boy, they heard his signal 
that he was safe and on the beam. A few moments 
afterward the rope was lowered and they fastened 
one of the planks to it and together began to hoist 
it. 

The air was close, almost stifling, and soon both 
the colonel and Tim were dripping with perspira- 
tion. The need of haste, however, was urgent and 
they did not rest from their labors until eight 
wide planks had been hauled to the waiting Lige. 

“Now I’m goin’ up,” declared the colonel, 
when this part of their task was completed. 

“D’ ye think I’m strong ’nough toe pull yo’?” 

80 


THE HOLLOW CYPRESS 

inquired Tim dubiously. “I should hate toe drop 
yo\” 

“An’ I’d hate toe have yo’,” said the colonel 
dryly. “I’m not goin’ toe chance it. Course I 
know yo’re ’s strong as a young hull,” he ex- 
plained consolingly, “but I wouldn’t trust Sam- 
son an’ Gomorrah toe haul me up into that dark- 
ness. No, suh, I’m goin’ up, but I’m goin’ in my 
own way.” 

“Who was Gomorrah?” asked Tim, who was 
aware of his father’s lack of knowledge of cer- 
tain well-known men and places. 

“Ask yore Grandmarm,” retorted Colonel 
Bludworth. “I’m makin’ this rope fast, d’yo’ 
see? Now watch it an’ hold tight an’ see me go 
up — up.” 

True to his word, the colonel made fast the rope 
to a strong root and then, slipping a cord, to which 
he had attached a saw, over his shoulder, he 
braced his feet against the walls of the tree, 
grasped the rope tightly and began his ascent by 
holding his feet against the trunk and pulling 
himself by the cable as he climbed out of sight. 

Tim, alarmed for the safety of his father, re- 
mained staring into the blackness above him, and a 
feeling of great relief swept over him when he 
heard him call, “I’m up here all right, lad. Now 
cast off yore cable an’ send up Old Bess first 
trip.” 

The great rifle was sent aloft and then as soon 
as it had been received, Tim was busy in hoisting 
81 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


the remainder of the cargo that had been brought 
in the catboat. Ammunition, several additional 
guns, a spyglass and last of all two baskets of pro- 
visions were speedily drawn to the place above. 

“Now put out yore candle an’ fix th’ rope 
’round yore body under yore arms,” called the 
colonel. ‘ 4 Don ’t be afraid, we ’ll look out f o ’ yo ’. ’ 9 
Whatever fear Tim experienced, he made no 
protest against his father’s words. Speedily he 
adjusted the rope as his father had directed and 
in a brief time he was rising slowly and steadily 
toward the place where the colonel and Lige were 
awaiting his coming. At last he was on the im- 
provised platform, and in the light which was 
much clearer than in the base of the tree he 
looked about him with keen curiosity. 

The planks, most of which were slightly longer 
than the diameter of the hollow tree, had been 
laid in such a manner that they were uneven, one 
end being higher than the other. The colonel 
already had driven great spikes, some through the 
ends of the planks making them fast to the tree, 
and others into the trunk in such a manner that 
they were left protruding, thereby preventing any 
tipping. All rested upon the beam that extended 
entirely across the hollow. This beam Tim after- 
ward found was simply a mass of the solid tree 
which for some unknown reason had not decayed 
as had most of the interior. 

Satisfied that the flooring, which now covered 
two thirds of the space, was firm, the colonel said, 
82 


THE HOLLOW CYPRESS 


“TIP next thing toe fix is these portholes. We’ll 
need three at least an’ maybe more, but three 11 
be enough fo’ a starter.” 

Taking the saw, the colonel at once began the 
task. First he cut a square about a foot and a 
half through the outside of the trunk. This was 
difficult work and when the first hole had been 
made he was quite willing to relinquish his task 
to his companions. The porthole was as high as 
his shoulder from the flooring and it was conse- 
quently still more difficult for the two boys to 
work rapidly. 

The task at last was completed and the boys 
peered eagerly at the outside world. One hole was 
directly facing Wilmington, one opened toward 
the river at their left, while the third enabled 
them to look down upon the woods and swamp 
through which they had come. The little catboat 
and the canoe had been securely hidden. When 
the boys looked at the place they recognized the 
spot, but as neither was able to see the boat or the 
canoe they hastily concluded that they would be 
hidden also from other eyes, a conclusion which 
their later experiences did not entirely justify. 

“We’re all snug, now,” said the colonel glibly. 
“ ’Tisn’t noontime yet, but th’ next thing fo’ us 
toe do I reckon is toe find out what is in those three 
baskets. Aunt Judy fixed ’em up, so I reckon 
they’re all right.” 

“What about Jim Paget?” inquired Tim, who 
had been looking out of the porthole at the cypress 
83 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

in which his friend had taken his place as guard. 

“ That’s right. I’d almost forgotten th’ lad. 
I reckon yo’d better whistle fo’ him, but one o’ 
yo’ll have toe go down th’ cable an’ crawl out toe 
th’ end o’ th’ tunnel toe meet him. He’d never 
find his way if yo’ didn’t.” 

“I’ll go,” suggested Lige quickly. 

“No, let me go,” said Tim hurriedly. “Jim 
has slid down his tree an’ is cornin’ like a streak. 
Somebody must be after him or he must ’a’ seen 
somethin’ toe make him leg it like that. I’ll go, 
down toe meet him an’ find out what’s wrong. 
Here take hold o’ the tackle an’ let me down,” he 
added hastily. 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE VOICE OF OLD BESS 

T HE rope was hastily adjusted beneath Tim’s 
shoulders and he was lowered to the base of 
the great tree. The dimness of the light at first 
prevented him from seeing the exit, but in a brief 
time he discovered the opening and hastily 
crawled into the tunnel. 

When last he had seen Jim Paget the lad was 
running swiftly, and, doubtless, Tim thought, by 
this time he must have arrived at the entrance to 
the tunnel. He was confident, however, that Jim 
Paget would be delayed somewhat as he probably 
would have to search for the hole. The thought 
caused Tim to increase his efforts and he worked 
his way rapidly through the underground passage. 

When he emerged from beneath the ground he 
saw Jim Paget standing directly before him. 

Startled by the unexpected appearance of his 
friend, he exclaimed, “Where did yo’ come from, 
Tim! ” 

“Up in th’ tree,” replied Tim. “What’s 
wrong ? What yo ’ all runnin ’ f o ’ ? ” 

“I don’t just know.” 

“Don’t know!” 


85 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Yas, suh, that’s just it. Where’s yore 
father?” 

4 ‘Up in th’ tree. We’ve built a platform up 
there, an’ we’re just waitin’ ” 

“Inside o’ th’ tree?” interrupted Jim Paget. 

“Yas, suh, inside o’ th’ tree. The old cypress 
is hollow fo’ more ’n fifty feet from th’ ground an’ 
we’ve got a place all rigged up there. We’ve cut 
some holes ” 

“What fo’?” 

“Toe give us some light an’ toe make openin’s 
fo’ Old Bess.” 

“I see. I see,” said Jim Paget quickly. “Can 
we all get up there all right?” 

‘ ‘ Course we can. How did yo ’ s ’pose I got down 
here?” 

“I don’t know. I hadn’t thought much ’bout it. 
If we can get up there then we ought toe do it 
right smart. Go ahead, I’ll follow yo’. I’ll tell 
yo’ all ’bout it just ’s soon as I can get where th’ 
colonel is. Don’t wait here any longer.” 

Eager as Tim was to hear what Jim Paget had 
to tell of the cause of his sudden and swift return 
from his post, he made no protest and at once 
crawled into the tunnel. Jim Paget followed im- 
mediately and in a brief time both boys were 
standing within the base of the huge cypress. 

A signal from Tim to his father was instantly 
answered, the rope was let down and the noose 
was dangling directly in front of the boys. 

“Here, Jim Paget,” said Tim hastily, “yo’ slip 
86 


THE VOICE OF OLD BESS 


this noose under yore shoulders an’ they’ll have 
yo’ up before yo’ fairly know yo’ve started. Let 
me help yo’,” he added, as he speedily adjusted 
the rope. “Now when yo’ get up there don’t for- 
get toe tell ’em I’m a-waitin’ here.” 

Jim Paget did not respond because at that mo- 
ment in response to Tim’s signal there was a 
strong pull on the rope and he was lifted bodily 
into the air. The ascent was successfully made 
and the rope then was let down for Tim, who 
quickly was drawn aloft and rejoined his com- 
panions. 

As he stepped upon the rude platform he saw 
that his father already was eagerly talking to Jim 
Paget. ^ 

“Yas, sub,” the latter was saying, “there’s a 
heap o’ men gatherin’ there on Market Wharf.” 

“How many?” inquired Colonel Bludworth. 

“I can’t just say, but there’s twenty-five on 
hand already, or there was when I last saw ’em.” 

“Could yo’ make out what they was a-doin’?” 

“No, suh. They seemed toe be gettin’ ready 
toe start fo’ somewhere.” 

“Prob’ly toe set our place afire,” suggested 
Tim sharply. 

“I reckon yo’re correct, son,” said the colonel 
grimly; “that’s ’bout th’ biggest thing in John 
Casler’s plan. We’ll take a look at ’em an’ see 
what we can see,” he added, as he reached for his 
spyglass and advanced to the porthole through 
which he adjusted the glass. 

87 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


The remaining members of the little party were 
all silent as they excitedly watched the colonel and 
waited for his report. The report, however, much 
to the impatience of the boys, was not made 
promptly. Colonel Blndworth continued to peer 
through the glass, and it became evident that he 
was either greatly perplexed or deeply interested 
in what he saw. 

At last, however, he turned quietly to Tim and 
said, “Take th’ spyglass and see what yo’ all can 
see.” 

Tim eagerly took the glass and stepped forward 
to the porthole. It was soon evident that he, too, 
wajs deeply interested in the sight on Market 
Wharf. Not once did he speak or look away until 
at last he turned and handed the glass to Jim 
Paget. ‘ 4 Try yore eye on it, ’ ’ he said quickly. 

Thus bidden, Jim Paget looked long and ear- 
nestly at the distant wharf before he in turn 
handed the glass to Lige. 

When every one had peered at the assembly the 
colonel in a low voice said, “What do yo’ all make 
of it?” 

“ There ’s a crowd there,” answered Tim, “an’ 
they’re all busy ’bout something, though I can’t 
tell what it is.” 

“What did yo’ make o’ it, Jim Paget?” asked 
the colonel. 

“It ’pears toe me they’re gettin’ ready toe 
start.” 


88 


THE VOICE OF OLD BESS 


“Where do yo’ think they’re a-goin’?” 

“Can’t tell that. I counted four boats.” 

“One o’ th’ boats is John Casler’s,” spoke up 
Lige. 

“It shore is,” said the colonel. “Now th’ point 
is if th’ doggone traitors are startin’ out in four 
boats an’ one o’ th’ boats is John Casler’s, where 
are they a-startin’ fo’ an’ what be they a plan- 
nin’ toe do?” 

“That’s all plain,” said Tim quickly. 

“What’s all plain?” 

“W^hy, they aren’t startin’ out toe go fishin’. 
They are goin’ toe do something.” 

“What?” 

“Just what they met in Wilmington toe do. 
John Casler told yo’ what that was.” 

“Yo’ think they’re headin’ fo’ my place?” 

“Yes, an’ maybe fo’ some other places, too.” 

“Yo’ agree toe that?” inquired Colonel Blud- 
worth, turning to Jim Paget as he spoke. 

“I sho’ly do.” 

“An’ do yo’, Lige?” 

“Yas, suh. Yas, suh, I agrees with ’em,” re- 
sponded the black boy. 

“Then I reckon yo’ all must be correct,” said 
the colonel. “Now, th’ point of th’ whole thing is 
what can we do toe stop ’em ? ’ ’ 

“There’s only one thing toe do,” declared Tim. 

“What’s that?” 

“Let Old Bess tell ’em toe clear out an’ go 
home.” 


89 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Do y’ think they’ll do what she tells ’em toe 
do?” 

“Try her.” 

“That’s a good suggestion,” said the colonel, 
who already had taken the big gun in his hands. 
“I’ll let her give ’em some good advice,” he 
added, as he looked carefully at the priming. 
“I’m wonderin’ if she can be heard that far,” he 
suggested, as he thrust the barrel of the rifle 
through the porthole. 

All three boys were now greatly excited. The 
light was sufficient to enable them to see every 
movement of the colonel. It seemed to Jim Paget, 
who was trembling in his excitement, as if Colonel 
Bludworth never would pull the trigger. He was 
waiting for the report, which doubtless would be 
terrific within the hollow tree. 

“Both yo’ boys beat me firin’ at the Indian 
head. Maybe one o’ yo’ can do better here ’n I 
can,” drawled the colonel, once more turning to 
his companions. 

“No, suh,” spoke up Tim. “Yo’re all set an’ 
we can try it later. Go ahead, pop!” 

“Just as yo’ say, then,” responded the colonel. 

Still he did not fire. In their impatience Jim 
Paget was about to offer to shoot, but at that in- 
stant the colonel’s finger pressed the trigger and 
Old Bess spoke. The report was almost deafen- 
ing. For a moment Jim Paget clapped his hands 
upon his ears as if his eardrums had been rent. 

90 


THE VOICE OF OLD BESS 

Instantly, however, he dropped his hands and 
leaned forward to watch Colonel Bludworth, who 
had hastily withdrawn Old Bess and with his spy- 
glass was gazing at Market Wharf in the distance. 

“ Something’s happened there,” he drawled. 
“ Looks ’s if somebody had had an accident. 
There’s a man down right in the middle o’ th’ 
crowd an’ they’re all runnin’ ’round like a hen 
with her head cut off. What d’yo’ s’pose th’ mat- 
ter is?” 

No one replied to the colonel’s question. All 
three boys were pressing forward, eager to peer 
out of the porthole and discover what the effect of 
the shot had been in the assembly on the wharf. 
Colonel Bludworth stepped back to permit his 
young companions to look and at once they all 
peered out of the opening. 

“There’s somebody down, as shore’s yo’re 
born I ’ ’ exclaimed Tim excitedly. 

“Looks as if it might be more’n one,” said Jim 
PageL “That couldn’t be, though,” he added. 

“They’re lookin’ all ’round tryin’ toe see where 
th’ shot came from,” suggested Tim. 

Several men on the wharf were running to dif- 
ferent points and gazing earnestly up and down 
the river and across the stream to the opposite 
shore. Apparently none discovered the place 
from which the shot had been fired, and the con- 
fusion in the assembly increased. 

91 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“ Shore there wasn’t any smoke from Old Bess, 
pop?” asked Tim anxiously. 

“Pm shore the’ was smoke,” answered the colo- 
nel, “but the’s just enough breeze toe blow it 
away before they’d see it.” 

If the actions of the assembly provided any evi- 
dence, then the colonel’s statement was correct, for 
the startled men were looking in every direction 
except the one from which the shot had come. Up 
and down the river and across to the opposite 
shore the men were looking, but Negro Head Point 
apparently did not occur to any as the hiding place 
of the sharpshooter. Plainly, it was too far dis- 
tant to be thought of in that connection. 

“Shall we give ’em another one?” asked Tim 
eagerly. 

“Let me see,” said the colonel, as at once he ad- 
vanced and looked long and carefully through the 
porthole. “They haven’t left th’ wharf yet,” he 
said slowly. “I don’t know but we’d better try 
one more. Think one o’ yo’ boys could do th’ 
job?” he inquired quizzically. 

“Yas, suh! Yas, suh!” said Tim eagerly. 
“Let me try it.” 

The colonel, who meanwhile had been reloading 
Old Bess, at once handed the huge rifle to his son. 
Tim thrust the barrel through the porthole and 
aimed at the distant body of men assembled on the 
wharf. 

As the gun now had a firm support it was not as 
difficult to take aim as it had been when he had 
92 


THE VOICE OF OLD BESS 


been compelled to bold the weapon at arm’s 
length. Tim was taking his time and it was long 
before at last he pulled the trigger. 

Once more Old Bess spoke. The noise of the 
report again was almost deafening. The very 
tree almost seemed to be shaken to its base and to 
be trembling like a leaf. 

Quickly, however, the eager boys again were 
peering through the porthole to discover the effect 
of the shot. For a moment no one spoke and then 
Jim Paget exclaimed, “Y’ got one, Tim.” 

4 ‘ Looks like y’ did,” joined in the colonel. 
* ‘ Stirred ’em up anyway. ’ ’ 

Once more the assembly was thrown into dire 
confusion. Men were running about on the wharf, 
some apparently giving their attention to one of 
their number who was lying on the planks, while 
others were repeating their efforts to discover the 
place or even the direction from which the myste- 
rious shot had been fired. 

As the confusion continued it became evident 
that their efforts were futile. Several were point- 
ing down the river while others were equally de- 
monstrative in pointing in the opposite direction. 

“They aren’t goin’ toe find out any more right 
now,” chuckled the colonel. “They’re goin’ toe 
leave. They’re carryin’ off two men who look like 
they don’t feel right peart.” 

All now could see that Colonel Bludworth had 
spoken truly. Two parties were carrying men 
whom they lifted carefully and were withdrawing 
93 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

from the wharf. It was plain that all were highly 
nervous and eager to escape from the spot before 
another shot should be fired by the mysterious 
enemy. 

44 Doesn’t anybody ’pear toe s’pect Nigger Head 
Point,” said Tim enthusiastically. 

4 4 Not yet, son,” responded the colonel. 4 4 It’s 
too soon toe be crowin’ yet, though.” 

44 Yo’ think they’ll find us?” 

4 4 Can’t say as toe that. If we stay here long 
’nough they prob’ly will.” 

4 4 How long are we toe stay?” 

4 4 That depends.” 

4 4 Depends on what?” persisted Tim. 4 4 If th’* 
Tories stay there I don’t see any reason why we 
can’t stay here.” 

4 4 We can stay for a while,” assented the colo- 
nel. 4 4 But we mustn’t stay too long. Th’ is 
such a thing as wearin’ out yo’ welcome.” 

4 4 We shore don’t want toe do that,” laughed 
Tim. 44 Th’ Tories have left th’ wharf an’ I’m 
hungry,” he added simply. 

44 1 reckon we’re all ready for a snack,” as- 
sented the colonel. 4 4 We ’ll give th’ Tories a 
breathin’ spell.” 

One of Aunt Judy’s baskets of food was at once 
produced and the boys seated themselves, their 
legs dangling over the edge of the platform as 
they ate. 

4 4 What d’ yo’ think th’ Tones’ll do next?” in- 
quired Jim Paget. 


94 


THE VOICE OF OLD BESS 


“Hard toe tell,’’ replied the colonel quietly. 

“But what do yo’ think they’ll do?” persisted 
the boy. 

“I reckon they’re holdin’ some sort o’ a pow- 
wow right now.” 

“D’ yo’ s’pose they’ll try toe find out where th’ 
shots come from?” 

*“ That’s what yo’ all would do if yo’ was in their 
places, wouldn ’t yo ’ ? Well, then, it ’s only natural 
toe s’pose they’d do pretty much th’ same thing.” 

“Yas, suh, but how’ll we find out what the’ are 
plannin’!” 

“Just wait, that’s ’bout all. If they’ve got any 
plan, then they’ll have toe show it. I’m of th’ 
’pinion, though, that they’ve put off one thing the’ 
was a-goin’ toe do.” 

“What’s that?” 

“They won’t be settin’ my place on fire — not 
yet.” 

“Yo’ don’t b’lieve they’ll give that up, do vo’?” 

“I didn’t say they’d give it up. I said they’d 
put it off, that’s all.” 

“Maybe the’ won’t start from the wharf,” sug- 
gested Tim. 

“That’s correct. Maybe the’ won’t,” assented 
Colonel Bludworth. 

“Then ’bout all we can do for a while is toe wait 
an’ watch out for ’em,” said Jim Paget. 

“For a spell, yas, suh. I reckon, though, we 
shan’t have toe wait so dreadful long.” 

“I’ve been a-thinkin’,” said Jim Paget thought- 

95 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

fully, “that it might not be a bad thing for me 
toe try toe get into Wilmington again. Maybe I 
could slip past th’ guard an' if I could once get 
into th’ old town I might be able toe find out some- 
thing.’ J 

“How would yo’ do it?” inquired the colonel 
thoughtfully. 

“By goin’ a bit upstream I reckon I could find 
a landin’ place somewhere an’ then I could slip 
through into th’ town. I don’t b’lieve there’s a 
guard all ’round it.” 

“Likely not.” 

“Nobody would take. me fo’ a spy or anything,” 
continued Jim Paget. “I reckon there’s not many 
that know who I am anyway. I’d just be a boy, 
yo’ see, an’ nobody ’d take me toe be one o’ th’ 
party that’s makin’ Old Bess sing her pretty tunes 
toe ’em.” 

“I reckon yo’re correct, boy,” said the colonel 
after a brief silence. “It certainly would be a 
mighty good thing fo’ us if yo’ all could find out 
what th’ Tories was a-plannin’ toe do. Y’ might 
get toe see Sim this time.” 

“I’ll try it,” said Jim Paget eagerly. “When 
shall I start?” 

“Yo’ want toe be mighty careful toe keep away 
from Market Wharf,” suggested Tim. 

“I reckon that would depend on who’s 
shootin’,” laughed Jim Paget. “Now if ’twas 
Colonel Bludworth firin’ Old Bess, yo’ all wouldn’t 
96 


THE VOICE OF OLD BESS 


see me within gunshot o’ th’ wharf. But if ’twas 
some other ” 

“Meanin’ me!” interrupted Tim. 

“I’m not namin’ any names,” said Jim Paget. 
“But I’ll steer clear o’ th’ wharf,” he added. 
“Yo’ all can rest easy ’bout that.” 

“I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout when yo’ ought toe 
start,” spoke up Colonel Bludworth. 

“When is th’ best time?” 

“I reckon it won’t make much difference. One 
time’s ’bout as good ’s ’nother.” 

“Then I’ll go right now,” exclaimed Jim Paget, 
leaping to his feet as he spoke. 

“Hold yore horses, Jim Paget. The’ isn’t any 
fret. Let’s see what yo’ plannin’ toe do an’ how 
yo’ goin’ t’ do it.” 

“I haven’t thought much ’bout that. I reckon 
I’ll paddle across th’ river an’ land somewhere 
an’ then go on toe Wilmington on foot.” 

“Yo’ mustn’t make ’em suspicion there’s any- 
body ’round Nigger Head Point.” 

“How can I help it?” 

“That’s just what we all got toe figure out. 
First off, how far is th’ canoe from here?” 

“Not more’n a hundred yards.” 

“If yo’ should put out here at th’ cove some- 
body might spy yo’. The doggone traitors will 
certainly be watchin’.” 

“I’ll tell yo’, said Tim quickly. “Jim Paget 
better creep ’long th’ shore an’ go upstream 
97 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


’bout a quarter o’ a mile. There’s plenty o’ 
bushes on th’ banks an’ he can hide ’most any- 
where. Maybe I better go with him,” he sug- 
gested abruptly. 

“No, suh,” responded the colonel instantly. 
“One boy is a boy an’ two boys is only half a boy. 
Besides th’ one that goes may have toe act pretty 
sudden if th’ Tories should happen toe spy him. 
Couldn’t stop toe talk it over, he’d just have toe 
act an’ be quick ’bout it. No, suh, we need one o’ 
yo’ right here toe help. I reckon it’s better fo’ 
Jim Paget toe go an’ he might’s well go now’s 
any time. Yo’ know what yo’re go in’ fo’, don’t 
yo’?” he added, addressing the lad. 

“Yas, suh.” 

“Come back just’s soon as yo’ get what yo’re 
goin’ for. An’ be sure toe get yore bearin’s be- 
fore yo’ start so’s yo’ can find th’ hole an’ th’ 
tunnel again. That’s mighty important, yo’ un- 
derstand. Well, if yo’re ready we’ll let yo’ down 
by th’ rope.” 

Immediately the entire party arose and prepar- 
ations were at once begun for the departure of 
Jim Paget. 


CHAPTEE IX 


INTO WILMINGTON 

A S soon as Jim Paget touched the ground he 
L released himself, gave the signal and the 
rope was drawn to the platform. Without delay, 
he crawled into the tunnel and soon arrived at the 
exit. 

As he stepped out upon the firm ground he be* 
came aware of the numerous footprints in the 
ground about the spot. Apparently every one in 
the little band had left his mark. The discovery 
of these by the Tories would instantly suggest to 
them that several men had crawled into the hole, 
and if the men at Wilmington were making a 
thorough search doubtless they would find the 
telltale marks. 

The thought was disquieting, but Jim Paget did 
not delay. First looking about him to assure him- 
self that he was not seen by any lurking searching 
party, he was speedily convinced that no one was 
near. The scene was peaceful all about him. Not 
a sound except the noise of certain insects broke 
in upon the silence of the summer day. The sun 
seemed to be hanging motionless in the sky. A 
slight haze rested upon the river in the distance, 
but otherwise there was nothing seen to indicate 
99 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

that the quiet of the afternoon was threatened. 
War seemed to be as foreign to the scene as if it 
did not exist. Tories and Dutch butchers appar- 
ently had no part in the July afternoon. 

In spite of the appearance, however, Jim Paget 
was fully aware that he had entered upon a peri- 
lous venture. Whether or not Tories could be 
seen, there was no question as to their presence 
in Wilmington and the hostile purpose upon which 
they were bent. And his task was to discover, if 
possible, what the effect of Old Bess’s efforts had 
been and whether or not the Tories were discour- 
aged. The very lives of his friends in the for- 
tress in the treetop depended upon the success of 
his venture and upon whether or not the Tories 
were making a determined effort to ascertain the 
location of the spot from which the mysterious 
shots had been fired. 

Mindful of these things, Jim Paget cautiously 
advanced toward the hiding place of the canoe. 
When he arrived he found the little craft where 
they had left it. Apparently no one had been near 
or discovered its presence. 

After he had once more looked carefully in 
every direction Jim Paget cautiously stepped into 
the canoe, and grasping the paddles, took his posh 
tion in the stern. Occasionally he pushed against 
the marshy shore, but for the most part he pad- 
died softly until he entered the river. 

Again looking keenly up and down the stream, 
he satisfied himself that as yet he had not been 
100 


INTO WILMINGTON 


seen by his enemies and then cautiously and 
slowly he drove the frail craft upstream, all the 
time keeping close to the shore and frequently 
stopping for observation. 

He had advanced two hundred yards or more 
when he abruptly stopped. Coming swiftly down 
the stream were two rowboats, each containing 
two men, and both were rowing. One of the boats 
was near the shore while the other was farther 
out in the stream. 

Instantly Jim Paget sent his canoe behind some 
overhanging bushes growing along the bank. He 
was fearful that his presence had been discovered, 
but as he peered through the tangled brush he was 
soon convinced that he had not been seen. 

The skiff which was nearer the shore soon was 
directly in front of him and he was again for a 
moment alarmed when the rowers rested upon 
their oars. It speedily became evident that they 
had no suspicions that an enemy was near, for he 
distinctly heard the conversation which ensued. 

“I told yoV ? one of the men said to his com- 
panion, “that it was foolish to go so far upstream. 
No rifle in th’ world could carry as far as this. ? ^ 

“Yo’ don’t s’pose th’ rifle belongs toe somethin’ 
out o’ the world, do yo’, Jed?” 

The name instantly recalled to the excited Jim 
Paget the companion of John Casler when they 
had searched him in the fish house. He speedily 
was convinced that the man who had just been 
called Jed by his companion was indeed the same 
101 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

man who had been with John Casler in the fish 
house. The fact was speedily ignored, however, 
when Jim Paget discovered that he could hear the 
conversation, and, trembling in his eagerness, he 
leaned forward and listened intently. 

“ ’Course not,” the man called Jed was saying. 
“ Ghosts don’t shoot in th’ daytime.” 

‘ 4 Well, tell me who did th’ shootin’, then?” 

“ That’s just what we’re try in’ toe do. An’ 
we’ll find out too just’s shore’s yo’re born. John 
Casler has gone down th’ river while we’ve been 
a-comin’ upstream ” 

“If he doesn’t find any more’n we have he won’t 
report very much,” interrupted Jed’s comrade. 

“Nobody may be able toe find out first off, but 
some o’ us ’ll sho’ly get him.” Jed spoke as if he 
was firmly convinced that his statement was true, 
a conviction that Jim Paget, trembling behind the 
bushes, devoutly shared as well as feared at the 
moment. 

“Beats all where those shots could ’a’ come 
from,” Jed was saying thoughtfully. 

“Yo’re correct ’bout that,” assented the second 
man. “That’s what made me think they might 
’a’ been fired by spooks.” 

“Shucks !” 

“Well, suh, yo’ can ‘ shucks’ all yo’ want toe! 
Tell me how in broad daylight two shots can be 
fired right into th’ middle o’ th’ gang on th’ wharf 
an’ nobody can see or smell a sign o’ powder or 
102 


INTO WILMINGTON 

see a bit o’ smoke anywhere ’long th’ shore or on 
th’ river.” 

1 4 I’ll own up it’s mighty queer,” acknowledged 
Jed, “but we all ain’t done with ’em yet awhile. 
Right soon they’ll shoot once too many times an’ 
then we ’ll get ’em. ’ ’ 

“Yas, suh, after he’s picked off a lot more o’ 
our friends.” 

“Yo’ all gettin’ scared?” 

“Yas, suh, I be, an’ I don’t mind sayin’ so.” 

“ Yo’ll feel a sight better soon. We’ll get these 
fellows.” 

“Yo’ think there’s more’n one doin’ th’ 
shootin’?” 

‘ 1 1 sho ’ly do. ’Tisn ’t likely one man would come 
alone toe fight th’ lot.” 

“If it is a man.” 

“Keep up your grit! Yo’ aren’t done fo’, yet 
awhile. We’ll keep on an’ we’ll get ’em.” 

The conversation abruptly ceased and the men 
resumed their rowing. Jim Paget watched them 
as long as they remained within sight. It was evi- 
dent from their words that Old Bess had done her 
duty and created consternation in the assembly on 
Market WQiarf. In spite of his fear, Jim Paget 
smiled as he recalled the suggestion of Jed’s 
companion that the gun was not fired by an earthly 
shooter. It reminded him of the tales told by the 
negroes. 

The lad, however, did not waste any time on 
103 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


further surmises, and as soon as the two boats dis- 
appeared he paddled his canoe into the open 
stream. He had decided now that a bold course 
was the safer. Accordingly, putting forth all his 
strength, he started for the opposite shore. 

There was neither time nor opportunity to stop 
for observations. Almost desperately he exerted 
himself and drove the light little craft swiftly 
across the water. At any moment he expected to 
hear the report of a gun or hear a voice summon- 
ing him to stop or turn back. As he drew nearer 
the shore his fears increased, but when at last he 
landed and turned to look behind him there were 
no living objects to be seen save a few birds flying 
low in the distance. 

Somewhat relieved, Jim Paget drew the canoe 
into a secluded spot and then, noting several of the 
near-by trees so that he would be able to find the 
place easily, he turned toward the road which, as 
he was somewhat familiar with the region, he 
knew was not far away. 

He soon arrived at the rough roadway and 
started at once toward Wilmington, which was not 
more than three miles distant. The fact that he 
had not seen any guard or patrol on the river did 
not mean that none had been established on land. 
As he proceeded he maintained a careful outlook, 
but at last when he entered the town he had not 
seen any soldiers. 

Convinced that the bolder course still was safer, 
he decided to go at once to Sim Miller’s cobbler 
104 


INTO WILMINGTON 


shop as if it were an ordinary visit. His great 
fear was lest he might see John Casler or some 
Tory from the vicinity who would recognize him 
as Colonel Bludworth’s bound boy. In that event 
he would confront fresh troubles which simply 
must be met in the best way possible. Meanwhile 
he was walking slowly toward the cobbler’s shop. 

Jim Paget soon discovered that his coming ap- 
parently had not aroused any interest or created 
any commotion. He was not nearly as important 
as he believed himself to he, he thought with a 
feeling of elation. There was nothing he desired 
more than to make his way without any trouble 
to Sim Miller’s shop. Once there, he was confi- 
dent his errand would be accomplished speedily 
and he would be free to return to the fortress in 
the old cypress tree. 

He saw only a 'few people moving about the 
streets of the quaint old town, and not one there 
did he recognize. On the other hand, the men 
whom he saw apparently did not bestow a second 
thought upon the country boy. To them he was 
apparently just an ordinary lad of the place and 
his quiet bearing did not arose any suspicion. If 
he should chance to meet John Casler or any man 
he knew he was well aware that his troubles in- 
stantly would begin. 

A brief walk brought Jim Paget to the little side 
street where the cobbler’s shop was located. He 
peered about him and then looked within the shop 
to assure himself that no one was observing him 
105 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


and then, satisfied that he was not being followed, 
he boldly pulled the latchstring and entered. 
Before him he saw Sim Miller seated on his bench, 
pounding on a strip of leather. 

The cobbler looked up as Jim Paget entered 
and for a moment stared blankly at his visitor. 
He was a small man, about sixty years of age. 
His head was bald and his face was covered with 
a scraggly beard. The odor of leather filled the 
room, and the pungent smell of a ball of black wax, 
for which Sim Miller reached just as the lad 
opened the door, was noticeable above the pre- 
vailing perfume of the room. 

“What yo’ doin’ here?” demanded Sim Miller, 
when at last he broke the tense silence. 

“I came toe see yo’.” 

“That’s a mighty risky thing toe do. Don’t 
yo’ know what’s goin’ on in Wilmington?” 

“No, suh, I don’t. That’s just what Colonel 
Bludworth sent me toe find out. ’ ’ 

“S-s-s-h!” warned the cobbler, as he arose from 
his bench and looked out through the windows, of 
which there were two, one on each side of the 
room, to satisfy himself that no one was near. 
“There’s a heap o’ things goin’ on in old Wil- 
mington, and I reckon we all have got troubles 
enough o’ our own without th’ colonel givin’ us 
.any more. Where ’s the colonel now ? ’ ’ 

“I can’t tell yo’.” 

“Y’ mean yo’ won’t tell me. That’s all right, 
106 


INTO WILMINGTON 


I reck’ii. Maybe I’m better off not t’ know too 
much. Where did yo’ all come from!” 

“I haven’t time t’ talk ’bout that. Just tell me 
what’s goin’ on here in Wilmington.” 

“Yo’ know th’ Tories have been a-gatherin’ 
here fo’ th’ past two or three days ” 

“Yas, suh, yas, suh, I’ve done heard that,” 
broke in Jim Paget impatiently. “What I want 
toe find out is just what they’re doin’.” 

“Just now their kettle is in th’ fire. They had 
their drums an’ fifes an’ there was a meetin’ a 
little while ago on Market Wharf. The’ was plan- 
nin’ toe start out — leastwhile some o’ ’em was toe 
go — but just befo’ the’ started somethin’ hap- 
pened that broke up th’ meetin’.” 

“What was it!” Jim Paget was fully aware 
that the keen eyes of the cobbler were gazing 
shrewdly at him, but he was doing his utmost to 
appear unmindful of the curiosity of the little man, 
who loved gossip even more than he did his food. 

“One o’ ’em was shot. Nobody heard the sound 
o’ a gun, there wasn’t any smoke anywhere toe 
be seen, an’ yet there was a man down kerplunk 
an’ nobody knew where th’ bullet come from.” 

“How did the’ know ’twas a gun if the’ didn’t 
see anything or hear any firin’!” 

“Why, there was a man down, the’ was a bullet 
hole in his shoulder an’ the’ got th’ bullet. Some 
say ’twas mos’ as big ’s a cannon ball. Then 
107 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


that wasn’t all o’ it. Pretty quick the’ was 
another o’ those still shots an’ another man 
tumbled. He was hurt pretty bad, I hear. An’ 
the’ was another bullet just like th’ first one, so 
the’ all knew ’twas one party makin’ all th’ trou- 
ble. The ’re all pretty much stirred up ’bout it, 
so I hear.” 

“What are the’ doin’ ’bout it!” Jim Paget’s 
eyes were shining in spite of his efforts to appear 
indifferent to the tale the cobbler was telling. 

“ The ’re mad’s a wet hen. The ’re lookin’ 
everywhere fo’ th’ party what did it.” 

“ Where are the’ lookin’?” 

“Mos’ everywhere. The ’re seachin’ th’ town, 
breakin’ open houses ” 

“Have the’ been here yet?” interrupted Jim 
Paget hurriedly. 

“Some one was here a little spell ago.’ 

“Will the’ come again?” 

“No man can say ’s toe that. The ’re all het 
up an’ may do ’most anything. The ’re bound an’ 
determined toe run th’ party down. What yo’ so 
int’r’sted in that part fo’?” 

“Go on with yore story.” 

“Th’ isn’t much more toe tell. I hear the’ve 
sent some boatloads up and likewise down th’ 
Cape Fear, a-lookin’ for likely hidin’ places.” 

“The’ don’t have toe look very far. Yo’ said 
the’ was rifle bullets ” 

“No, suh, I didn’t say anything o’ th’ kind,” 
broke in the cobbler. “All I said was that th’ 
108 


INTO WILMINGTON 


bullet was mos’ ’s big ’s a cannon ball. What do 
yo ’ all think ’bout it ? ” 

“How should I know? Go on an’ tell th’ rest o’ 
yore story.” 

“That’s ’bout all the’ is toe tell. The’ do say, 
though, that if the’ catch th’ party, the ’ll make 
short work of him.” 

“Then the’ think it’s only one man, do they?” 

“The’ don’t say. All the ’re sure of is that 
both shots was fired by th’ same rifle. Y’ see th’ 
two bullets was th’ same size an’ bein’ so big th’ 
Tories concluded ’twas th’ same one that did th’ 
damage in both cases.” 

i 1 How did yo ’ all find that out ? ’ ’ 

“I told yo’ some o’ th’ Tories was here a spell 
ago.” 

“Do the’ suspicion you?” 

“Not toe my knowledge. The ’re seachin’ ev’ry- 
where an’ ev’rybody, that’s ’bout all.” 

“Do the’ expect toe try toe start out again?” 

“Toe do what the’ was plannin’ first off toe 
do?” 

“Yas, suh.” 

“I can’t say. At th’ same time if I was in Colo- 
nel Bludworth’s shoes I don’t b’lieve I’d let ’em 
find me very far from home fo’ a few days.” 
Again the cobbler glanced quizzically at the boy, 
but without eliciting any response to his sug- 
gestion. 

“Is John Casler doin’ much?” 

109 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“He’s one o’ th’ leaders. I hear tell how he’s 
one o’ th’ worst. The’ say he is mighty anxious 
toe take a few men up th’ river toe visit th’ 
colonel. ’ ’ 

“Th’ doggone traitors!” exclaimed Jim Paget. 
“The’ ought toe hang ev’ry one o’ ’em!” 

“S-s-s-h!” warned Sim Miller again, rising and 
peering anxiously through the windows. “Yo’ 
may have a perfect right toe feel that way but yo’ 
don’t ought toe talk much ’bout it. Th’ walls 
may have ears, yo’ understand.” 

“I don’t care! I don’t care who knows it nor 
who hears it!” said Jim Paget sharply. 

“But yo’ must be careful — in my shop. If th’ 
Tories s’picioned I was a-talkin’ right now toe 
Colonel Bludworth’s boy, I reckon my days o’ 
makin’ boots would be ’bout ended. Where did 
yo’ say th’ colonel is now?” 

Jim Paget did not answer the cobbler’s ques- 
tion. When Sim Miller looked again at the lad 
he saw that he was staring at something he had 
discovered outside the little building. When the 
cobbler arose from his bench and peered through 
the window to discover what had interested his 
visitor he was as startled as the lad. 

Not more than thirty feet away he saw John 
Casler, accompanied by two men whom he did not 
recognize, approaching the shop. It was manifest 
that the Tory was coming, and there was only a 
moment in which to act. 

110 


INTO WILMINGTON 


“Here yo’, Jim Paget !” said Sim Miller in- 
stantly. “Get yo’self into this cubbyhole/ ’ 

As he spoke the cobbler flung open the door of 
a closet in the rear of the room and pushed the 
lad into it. He barely had time to throw a side 
of leather over him and then to close and “but- 
ton” the low door, when the latchstring of the 
outer door was pulled and John Casler advanced 
into the room. 

“We’ve come fo’ yore visitor,” said the Tory 
in a loud voice. “Yo’ all tell us where he is or 
it’ll go hard with yo’, yo’ sneakin’ rebel 1” 


CHAPTER X 


THE PURSUIT 

I NSTANTLY there arose a great commotion in 
the little shop. Enraged by the attitude of the 
cobbler, who did not make any resistance and did 
not respond to the questions and taunts of his 
visitors, John Casler seized him by his shoulder 
and flung him across the room. The long bench 
was overturned, the knives and tools were flung 
out through the open door, even the windows were 
smashed as the furious visitors flung the hammers 
through them. 

“Now will yo’ tell us where that sneakin’ little 
bound boy is?” shouted John Casler, as he bru- 
tally kicked the prostrate man. 

Sim Miller still was silent. He was helpless in 
the grasp of the Tory, but there was an expression 
of determination on his sallow face that would 
have been startling to Jim Paget if he had been 
able to see it. As it was, the lad was terrified by 
the commotion and was trembling violently as he 
crouched lower in his hiding place. He was con- 
vinced that the only way to save the life of his 
friend was to surrender, and he was about to push 
away his covering and give himself up to the 
angry Tories. 


112 


THE PURSUIT 


At that moment, however, the small door of the 
closet in which he was hiding was flung open, the 
side of leather was kicked away and the terrified 
boy was exposed to view. 

“Here he is!” shouted one of the Tories, as he 
seized Jim Paget by his arm and yanked him to 
his feet. “Here is th’ little sneak!” 

“Let me have him!” roared John Casler, as he 
leaped upon the lad and grasped him roughly by 
the collar. At the same time he struck the boy 
a violent blow on the side of the head and then 
dragged him into the room. 

“I knew yo’ was a-hidin’ somewhere ’round 
these parts!” said John Casler savagely. “I was 
doggone shore th’ colonel had a hand in this busi- 
ness th’ minute I heard about th’ shootin’. Now 
then, tell us where he is!” the Tory added, as he 
twisted the boy’s arm until Jim Paget cried out 
in agony. “Tell us where he is!” repeated the 
Tory, “or I’ll twist yore head off.” 

In spite of his suffering the bound boy did not 
speak. He was ready to die, if need be, but he 
would not betray the man who had been like a 
father to him, nor would he reveal his hiding 
place. His lips were tightly pressed together and 
his expression of pain only intensified the deter- 
mination that was manifest in his bearing. 

“Yo’ won’t, won’t yo’?” shouted John Casler, 
as again he violently wrenched the lad’s arm. “I 
reckon we’ll find a way toe make yo’ open yore 
mouth! Now then I’ll give yo’ just one more 
113 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

chance. Will yo’ all tell where th’ colonel is 
hidin’ ?” 

Jim Paget shook his head and did not speak. 

Still further enraged by the obstinacy of his 
prisoner, John Casler renewed his efforts to com- 
pel him to reveal the place where Colonel Blud- 
worth was concealed. He twisted Jim Paget’s 
arm until the boy cried aloud in his agony. He 
then struck him a violent blow on his head and 
kicked him brutally. 

“Now will yo’ speak?” he shouted. “There 
won’t be ’nough left o’ yo’ for the crows toe pick 
at when I’m done with yo’.” 

But Jim Paget, trembling and suffering, re- 
mained speechless. 

Suddenly the lad began to strike and kick at 
his tormentor. He was convinced that the Tory 
was determined to kill him, and in sheer despera- 
tion he was doing his utmost to free himself from 
the grasp of his enemy. 

The action was so unexpected that for a mo- 
ment John Casler was taken off his guard. As 
Jim Paget squirmed and kicked he suddenly 
wrenched himself free and instantly darted to- 
ward the open door. There was no plan of escape 
in his mind, his sole thought was to escape any- 
how and anywhere from his savage captors. 

He was for an instant aware that John Casler 
had leaped after him and was also conscious that 
the Tory had stumbled over one of his comrades 
114 


THE PURSUIT 

and that the three men were together in a heap 
on the floor. 

Jim Paget, however, did not await the outcome. 
Exerting all his strength, as he was aware that 
the advantage he had gained was only mo- 
mentary, he ran swiftly up the crooked little 
street or lane, and then instead of continuing into 
the larger street beyond, he abruptly turned into 
an alley on his left and did his utmost to increase 
his speed. Just as he was turning he had a mo- 
mentary glimpse of his pursuers, who now were 
swiftly following, and they greeted his change of 
direction with a loud shout. For an instant it 
seemed to the fugitive that the Tories were highly 
elated, but it was impossible then for him to un- 
derstand the cause. 

In a brief time, however, he saw the reason 
why they were exulting. The alley was a blind 
one. Directly before him was a stone wall block- 
ing his progress. To the excited boy the wall ap- 
peared to be ten or twelve feet high and there 
were no steps or ladders by which he might 
ascend. A quick inspection convinced him that 
there was no escaping by turning either to the 
left or to the right. Behind him were his pur- 
suers swiftly approaching and in front of him was 
the apparently impassable barrier. Just why the 
Tories did not fire upon him was not clear. Per- 
haps their failure was due to their feeling of con- 
fidence that they had trapped him, and when once 
115 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

more they had him in their grasp they would 
compel him to disclose the hiding place of Colonel 
Bludworth. 

The recollection of the tortures he had suf- 
fered at the hands of John Casler provided a 
fresh incentive for the desperate lad. It was 
true the wall appeared to be too high to be scaled 
and yet that was his sole remaining way of es- 
cape. He simply must climb it. 

Jim Paget had been maintaining the swiftness 
of his flight while these thoughts were surging 
in his mind and now he found himself facing the 
barrier. Without abating his efforts he instantly 
leaped upon the wall. His hands grasped a pro- 
truding stone, but one of his feet slipped from 
the narrow lodging place and he fell to the ground. 
A glance behind him revealed his pursuers not 
more than thirty feet away. They laughed loudly 
when he slipped and sheer desperation provided 
the lad with fresh determination. 

Instantly he leaped to his feet and renewed his 
efforts. With his toes he gained a narrow van- 
tage and then with his hands holding fast to an 
uncertain little ledge he pulled himself up until 
he gained a new hold. He repeated the process, 
although he was in terror lest he again should slip 
and fall directly into the waiting hands of his 
enemies, who now were below him and near the 
wall. 

Struggling, wriggling, pulling, climbing, Jim 
116 


THE PURSUIT 


Paget squirmed up the wall and almost had 
gained the top when he felt one of his feet grasped 
by John Casler, who had now come to the wall 
and instantly jumped for the boy. By one vicious 
kick Jim Paget contrived to break the hold of 
the Tory and then he clambered over the top and 
fell to the ground on the opposite side. 

Slightly dazed by his fall, he leaped to his feet 
and stared stupidly about him. He soon was 
aware that he was in the back yard of a large 
place. At his left was a barn from which at that 
moment emerged a dog and an old black man. 
Evidently it was the purpose of the latter to pro- 
test the sudden invasion, and, as for the dog, it 
already was showing its hostility by growls and 
was approaching with the hair on its back rising 
angrily. 

“Call off yore dog, uncle,’ ’ gasped Jim Paget. 
“Hide me! Hide me! The Tories are after me. 
They’re just on the other side of the wall.” 

Whatever the purpose of the negro may have 
been, he evidently was moved by the lad’s appeal. 
“Yas, suh, come dis way, suh,” he said quickly, 
and at once conducted the boy to what plainly 
was a harness room. The dog no longer was 
showing signs of anger, its confidence evidently 
restored by the attitude of the negro, who quickly 
led Jim Paget to a large and nearly empty bin 
which was fastened by a padlock. 

Hastily bidding the lad climb in, he replaced the 

117 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

lock and turned the key just as Jim Paget heard 
the angry voice of John Casler, who at that mo- 
ment entered the barn. 

“Boy, where’s that fellow that climbed th’ 
wall!” demanded John Casler in a loud voice. 

“Yas, suh, yas, suh, Cap’n,” said the colored 
man. “ Jes’ wha’ boy is yo’ all ref errin’ toe?” 

“The one that climbed over th’ wall just now. 
Yo’ saw him! Where did he go? Don’t lie toe 
me, yo’ black rascal, or I’ll break ev’ry bone in 
yore body.” 

“Yas, suh, Cap’n.” 

“Well, where is he? Be quick ’bout it! Which 
way did he go ? ” 

“Yas, suh, yas, suh. Ah don’ jes’ ” 

“Which way did he go?” broke in the Tory, 
too angry now to be reasonable. As he spoke he 
advanced threateningly upon the negro, appar- 
ently unaware of any danger from the dog which, 
though it was motionless, was watching every ac- 
tion of the enraged man. 

“Yas, suh, Cap’n,” again began the negro. 
“Ah was jes’ tellin’ yo’ all that Ah was tryin’ 
toe rec’lect anybody what has clambered dat wall. 
Was dis yere boy a white boy?” 

“Of course he was white.” 

“Did he hab er rag tied like ober one o’ his 
eyes?” 

“Yas. No. I dunno.” 

“Yas, suh, Cap’n, Ah don’ jes’ rec’lect seein’ 
any white boy wid er rag tied ober his eye.” 

118 


THE PURSUIT 


“What did yo’ say yo’ did for, then?” de- 
manded John Casler loudly. 

“Yas, suh. Ah understand as how er white boy 
wid one eye done up lak’ hit was so’ ” 

“Where is that boy?” thundered the Tory. 

“AJi was jes’ ’xplainin’, suh. Lemme see. 
Was dis yere boy wearin’ er coat ” 

“Where is th’ boy?” again demanded John 
Casler. 

“Yas, suh, Cap’n. Ah was jes’ rec ’lectin’ ” 

“Did yo’ see him?’’ 

“Was hit dis mo bund what yo’ all was dxpectind 
de white boy?” 

“I dm not expecting him at all. What I want 
toe find out is where is he. He climbed that wall 
dbout five minutes ago an’ if yo’ don’t tell me 
which way he went or where he is now I’ll repo’te 
yo’ toe yore master an’ have yo’ all whipped. 
Where is he?” 

“Yas, suh, Ah understan’s. What yo’ all is er 
lookin’ fo’ is a white boy what has his haid all 
tied up an’ ” 

John Casler ’s patience was exhausted. He 
sprang angrily at the negro, but before he could 
touch him he was compelled to meet another and 
different foe. The dog whose patience also ap- 
parently was exhausted, with a snarl sprang at 
the throat of the Tory and instantly John Casler 
was forced to fight for his life. The dog was 
large and powerful and as the Tory tried to kick 
him away it secured a firm grip on his right leg 
119 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

and all the man’s efforts to make him let go his 
hold were unavailing. 

“Hi, there, yo’ nigger! Call off yore dog!” 
roared the Tory. 

“Yas, suh, yas, snh, Cap’n,” responded the 
colored man, who was moving slowly about the 
contestants. “Ah sho’ly don’ wan’ yo’ all toe get 
bit. Dat Beelzebub when he don’ git sta’ted, 
’pears lak’ he nebber let go. Here yo’, Beelze- 
bub,” he added, addressing the dog, “wha’ fo’ yo’ 
wan’ toe chaw ’er white man’ laig? Le’ go dar, 
Beelzebub! Yo’ all sho’ly make me ’shamed!” 

“Call off yore dog! Call him off!” shouted 
the Tory, still unable to break the hold of the 
animal. 

“Yas, suh, yas, suh, Cap’n,” responded the 
negro. “Ah sho’ly does ’polergize. Dat dog 
nebber had acted lak’ dat befo’.” 

The black man was endeavoring to free the 
Tory, but the infuriated animal did not heed the 
abuse which was heaped upon him. He still clung 
tenaciously to the hold he had secured on the 
Tory’s leg, all the time growling and snarling in 
a manner that caused Jim Paget to rejoice that 
he was free from the assaults of the savage ani- 
mal even if he was locked within close quarters. 

At last the negro seized the tail of the dog, but 
even that did not free the Tory. The three bodies 
all swung around the floor and the confusion and 
noise increased. The growls of the dog, the calls 
120 


THE PURSUIT 


of the negro and the cries of John Casler all were 
mingled with the sounds of their feet as the trio 
slipped and scuffled about the barn. 

The strange contest continued several minutes, 
until at last the Tory broke loose and instantly 
ran to the driveway. Not once did he look behind 
him as he sped toward the street. 

As soon as John Casler disappeared around 
the corner of the house the negro hastily turned 
to the bin and freed the excited boy. “Bettah get 
outer thar befo’ yore fren’ come back an’ fin’ 
yo V 1 he said simply. 

Without replying, Jim Paget hastily climbed out 
of the bin and stood before the negro. 1 1 Keep 
yore dog away!” he suggested as he glanced ap- 
prehensively at the animal which apparently was 
still suspicious of all strangers. 

“Yas, suh. Don’ yo’ all be scairt. Beelzebub 
done mak’ me ’polergize fo’ him. He sho’ly did 
’pear toe like de taste o’ dat white man. Ah 
nebber see him act so befo’. He won’t bite yo’, 
he jes’ showin’ how he could tromple on yo’ if he 
was ’er mind toe. ’Pears like yo’ bettah be 
sta’tin’. Ah don’ know des whar yo’ all is 
headin’ fo’, but Ah reckon yo’ bettah be on yo’ 
way. Dat white man sho’ly will be a-comin’ back 
an’ Ah’m thinkin’ yore laigs is quicker now dan 
dey mought be if dat man get aftah yo’ ergin. 
Now, boy,” he added, “don’ yo’ all try toe tell 
me nothin’. Ef Ah don’ know den Ah des cain’t 
121 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

’xplain toe nobuddy. Yes, suh, yo’ all shore wants 
toe leave dese yere pa’ts an’ yo’ wants toe sta’t 
right soon.” 

“Hold yore dog,” called Jim Paget as instantly 
he prepared to accept the advice of the black man. 

“Yas, suh, Ah sho’ly will hoP him,” assented 
the negro as once more he seized the huge dog, 
gripping him with apparent fearlessness by his 
tail. 

A plan already had occurred to the lad which 
he quickly prepared to execute. Running swiftly 
down the driveway he darted across the lawn to- 
ward the high wall which he had scaled a few min- 
utes before. The safest spot for him for the time 
being was Sim Miller’s cobbler shop. Of this fact 
he was strongly convinced because the Tories 
would not suspect him of returning there and also 
because he might need the help of a friend. 

It was now late in the afternoon. The July 
sun already was low in the western sky and night 
soon would appear. Whatever he would do he 
must do quickly. 

Against the wall was a large and strong barrel. 
Running swiftly to this, Jim Paget leaped upon 
its upturned head and there found that his up- 
lifted hands were at least a foot and a half below 
the top of the wall. 

At that moment the dog broke loose from the 
grip of the negro and with a savage growl darted 
at Jim Paget. The sight of the enraged brute 
122 


THE PURSUIT 


was sufficient to provide the lad with an additional 
incentive. Instantly he jumped, striving to grasp 
the edge of the top of the wall. 

Once more he succeeded and drew himself up 
at the moment when the dog arrived at the spot, 
leaping high against the wall in his effort to seize 
the foot of the desperate lad. Jim Paget was 
aware that the dog was whining and crying in his 
disappointment and also he heard the lament of 
the colored man, “ Beelzebub, Ah sho’ly is modi- 
fied. Yo’ is named c’rectly, fo’ yo’ sho’ is de 
debbil’s own dawg.” 

Jim Paget, however, did not delay to listen to 
the lamentations and as soon as he dropped upon 
the ground he swiftly ran from the alley. He 
halted a moment when he turned into the lane or 
street, and then seeing Sim Miller’s shop in the 
distance and trusting that no one was watching 
him, he ran at top speed for the familiar little 
building. 

When he arrived he burst in through the open 
doorway and saw the cobbler pounding away on 
a piece of leather just as he had been doing on 
the occasion of his former visit. 

“Here I am, Sim,” exclaimed Jim Paget as he 
stopped before the cobbler. 

“Yas, I reckoned yo’d come back,” drawled Sim 
Miller without ceasing his labor. 

“I’ve had a great time.” 

“Yas.” 

“I got away from th’ Tory.” 

123 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“I reckoned yo’ did. I s’picioned it when I saw 
yo’ come into th’ shop.” 

“I’m goin’ straight back now.” 

“Straight back where?” 

“Where th’ colonel an’ — where th’ colonel is.” 

“That’s right. I reckon I’ll go ’long too.” 

“Yo’ll what?" demanded Jim Paget in aston- 
ishment. 

“ I ’ll go ’long with yo ’. ” Sim Miller had arisen 
from his bench and was laying aside his apron as 
he spoke. 

“But I don’t know ” 

“I do, 99 interrupted Sim Miller. “I know 
more’n yo’ do an’ what’s more, Colonel Bludworth 
wants toe know what I know.” 

“Can’t you tell me and let me tell him?” 

“That I can’t.” 

“But I’m afraid. All I’ve got is a little 
canoe ” 

“That’s enough. I’m goin’.” 

The cobbler quickly put on a coat and hat, and 
disregarding the evident dismay of Jim Paget, 
said, “Come on!” 

Mystified and somewhat dubious as to the re- 
ception Sim Miller would receive in the old 
cypress tree — that is, if they should succeed in 
rejoining their friends — the lad made no further 
protest. As soon as the cobbler closed and locked 
the door of his little shop, the two started in the 
direction of the place where Jim Paget had left 
his canoe. 


CHAPTER XI 


AN ADDITION 

J IM PAGET’S fears for his own safety were 
increased by the presence of the cobbler. The 
little shoemaker was a great gossip as well as an 
inveterate talker. His little shop was a center for 
distributing news and Sim Miller was never hap- 
pier than when he was imparting to the men who 
frequented his place the current tales concerning 
their neighbors, or was outlining his views as to 
the defects in the King’s government of the 
Colonies. 

For the most part, the cobbler’s tales were 
taken by his hearers at their true value. He simply 
was loquacious and loved to talk, chiefly for the 
pleasure it gave him, not for the information of 
his hearers. It is true he was not malicious and 
was as free with his reports of good deeds as he 
was of evil. As a rule his conversation was consid- 
ered, what it really was, the harmless words of a 
man more given to talk than to thought. 

As the long struggle of the Colonies for their 
freedom dragged on and the feeling among his 
neighbors became more tense, and as Sim Miller 
was an outspoken champion of the rights of the 
oppressed people, there had been several occa- 
125 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


sions when he had barely escaped serious trouble. 
Twice Tories had visited him threatening him 
with a coat of tar and feathers if he did not better 
control his tongue, which one of his visitors de- 
clared to be “hung in the middle and both ends 
working . 9 9 

For a time after such a visit Sim Miller would 
be somewhat subdued, but his propensity to talk 
on all subjects and occasions proved to be too 
strong for him to resist and soon he was at his 
former occupation, making up for the time he had 
lost in being good. 

The latest assembly of the Tories at Wilming- 
ton had provided a fresh incentive to the cobbler 
and he had been quick to avail himself of it. He 
had discoursed loudly and long on the wrongs of 
his fellow patriots until there had come from some 
unknown source a warning which had alarmed 
the little man as no previous experience had done. 

He did not feel called upon to explain to his 
companion, as he and Jim Paget walked slowly 
out of the town, doing their utmost to proceed in 
such a manner as to avoid arousing the suspicion 
of any one, that a placard had been left in his 
shop by some unknown party which had warned 
him to depart at once. A crude skull and bones 
had been drawn in charcoal and emphasized the 
warning printed beneath it. 

Sim Miller heeded the call. He decided 
promptly that it was safer for him to be outside 
the bounds of Wilmington than to be found 
126 


AN ADDITION 


within them. How and where to go were serious 
questions but the sudden appearance of Jim 
Paget in his shop had indicated a method of es- 
cape and instantly he had acted. 

Neither spoke as they advanced, but both were 
watchful and apprehensive. Sim Miller fre- 
quently looked behind him as if he was expecting 
pursuit. Jim Paget was apprehensive of guards 
stationed along the roadway and of patrol boats 
on the river. However, they were not molested, 
and just as the sun was disappearing from sight 
they arrived at the place where the lad had hidden 
his canoe. 

“We’ll wait here till it’s darker,’ ’ suggested 
Jim Paget. “ Better sit down an’ keep quiet.” 

“I don’t want toe wait. I’m feared o’ th’ 
Tories. If they should find me ” 

“ That’s just what I’m tryin’ toe keep ’em from 
doin’,” interrupted the boy. “Yo’ all must keep 
so still yo’ won’t hear yore own conscience a 
workin’. If the’ don’t find us right soon I reckon 
pretty quick we’ll be in th’ place we’re a lookin’ 
fo’.” 

1 i What place is that?” 

“ Just what I done told yo’. It’s where we all 
wish we was now. ’ ’ 

“There isn’t any one on th’ river,” said the 
cobbler after a long look up and down the stream. 

“Yo’ don’ know whether the’ is or not,” re- 
torted Jim Paget. 

“Yes, I do. I looked ev’rywhere.” 

127 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


“The’s one thing yo’ haven’t done.” 

“ What’s that?” 

“Is yore jaw tired?” abruptly demanded Jim 
Paget. 

“Tired? No, suh. I hasn’t done nu thin’ toe tire 
it.” 

“Let it rest, Sim. Let it rest.” 

“What fo’?” 

“For th’ good o’ th’ cause.” 

“But I’m a friend o’ th’ cause. I always said 
I was an’ that’s th’ reason why I got into 
trouble.” 

* 4 Trouble ? What ’s troublin ’ y o ’, Sim Miller ? ’ ’ 

“A good many things.” 

“Yo’ll have a good many mo’ if yo’ all don’t 
just shut up. Do I make myself clear?” 

“Puffickly. But yo’re mistaken, boy. I never 
talk agin th’ Colonies. I talk ” 

“Yo’ shorely do, Sim Miller. Now this is th’ 
place where yo ’ don’t talk. Understan ’me!” 

“But, why ” 

“If yo’ all lets out another word yo’ don’t go 
on with me. Yo’ puts straight back toe Wilming- 
ton.” 

“But I don’t want toe go back toe Wilmington. 
I’m er goin’ with yo’ all.” 

“Not if yo’ say another word.” 

The warning this time availed. Sim Miller be- 
came silent, although on several occasions he 
threatened to break forth again. A glance at the 
face of his companion was sufficient to convince 
128 


AN ADDITION 


him that Jim Paget was deadly in earnest. The 
cobbler above all things was desirous of going 
with him. He did not know where he was going 
nor did he care. He was positive that the boy 
soon would rejoin Colonel Bludworth and that 
fact alone was sufficient. Sim Miller was eager 
to be with the one man whose protection he most 
desired. 

Jim Paget waited until the dusk deepened be- 
fore he prepared to depart. As soon as he was 
convinced that it was measurably safe to proceed, 
he drew out the canoe and holding it by one hand, 
bade his companion lie down in the bow, a direc- 
tion against which Sim Miller vigorously but un- 
availingly protested ; he grasped his paddle, kneel- 
ing in the stern of the little craft, and with a few 
vigorous strokes sent it out upon the water. 

The silence resting over the river was tense. 
Jim Paget frequently rested and glanced in every 
direction. Apparently there was no one near and 
he resumed his efforts. Alternately paddling and 
stopping for observation he continued on his way 
until at last he gained the shore he was seeking. 

He then cautiously pushed the canoe into its 
former hiding place and bade his comrade arise 
and follow him. 

“Yeow-w!” exclaimed the cobbler as he stepped 
upon the shore. “I put my foot d’rectly on a 
snake. It was as big’s an oar!” 

“I don’ care if ’twas big’s a cypress tree ! If yo’ 
all let out another such yell I ’ll leave yo ’ all right 
129 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

here in th’ swamp where yo’ll spend th’ whole 
night with snakes,” said Jim Paget in a low voice. 
“ Snakes aren’t as bad as Tories an’ yo’ don’ 
know how many o’ them may be a hidin’ right 
behind these trees.” 

4 1 Where ? Where ? ’ ’ whispered Sim Miller as he 
glanced fearfully at the adjacent trees. 

“Anywhere an’ everywhere. Now yo’ all look 
sharp an’ follow me. Watch where yo’ step. If 
yo’ don’t th’ first thing yo’ know yo’ll be a step- 
pin’ right into a soft spot that’ll swallow yo’ up 
same’s if yo’ was a hunk o’ lead.” 

The cobbler became silent, doing his utmost to 
follow in the footsteps of the lad who now was 
moving rapidly, eager to rejoin his friends in the 
fortress in the treetop. Twice the cobbler fell 
into the thick mud, but Jim Paget yanked him 
safely to the firmer ground, and bidding him to be 
more careful, quickly resumed his efforts to dis- 
cover the hole in the ground. 

When at last he arrived at the place he sought 
he turned to the cobbler and said, “Now yo’ve got 
th’ toughest job yo’ ever had since yo’ all were 
born.” 

“WTiat is it?” asked Sim Miller in a voice that 
trembled. 

“I gave yo’ fair warnin’, but come yo’ would, 
so here yo’ be.” 

i 6 Wliat is it ? What is it 1 ’ ’ 

“Yo’ got toe crawl under th’ ground an’ then 

yo’ve got toe be h’isted ’bout fifty feet ” 

130 


AN ADDITION 


“I won’t I” broke in Sim Miller. “I’ll go 
back.” 

i ‘ That’s th’ way toe talk. I wish yo’ had gone 
back afore yo’ started.” 

‘ ‘ How ’ll I go ? ” 

‘ ‘ I dunno. I reckon yo ’ all will find some way. ’ ’ 

“I don’t know th’ way. Where is th’ colonel! 
He ’ll help me. I know he will. ’ ’ 

“ I reckon that’s right, he’s th’ only one that 
can, an’ I’m a-goin’ toe let him do it. Yo’ stay 
right here where yo’ be an’ I’ll go get him.” 

“How long’ll yo’ be gone!” 

“Jest a spell. Don’t yo’ move while I’m gone. 
If yo’ do yo’ll be lost an’ th’ snakes’ll get yo’.” 

Jim Paget instantly whistled, giving the signal 
which had been agreed upon and then crawled 
into the opening and began to advance through 
the tunnel. When he gained the base of the huge 
cypress and stood erect he saw a faint glimmer 
of light from the platform above. Otherwise he 
was in total darkness. His hands were trembling 
in his excitement and he had visions of snakes 
approaching over the damp ground. 

He repeated the signal and was relieved when 
he heard a voice from above calling, “Is that yo’, 
Jim Paget?” 

“It shore is. Give me that rope an’ be quick 
’bout it, too.” 

“Are yo’ all right?” 

“I reckon I am, but I don’ want toe stay here.” 

“We’ll have it down there befo’ ” 

131 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


“Hold on!” Jim Paget called suddenly. 
“Lower th’ colonel. I want him an’ I want him 
right soon.” 

There was a brief delay before any one re- 
sponded. Then he heard the colonel say, “I’m 
cornin’ ! Look out I don’t hit yo’ when I land.” 

In a brief time the waiting lad heard the colonel 
descending and soon he was standing beside him. 

“What’s wrong? What is it, son?” inquired 
Colonel Bludworth in a low voice. 

“Sim Miller is here,” replied Jim Paget. “I 
didn’t want him toe come, but he would do it.” 

“Where is he?” 

“He’s out yonder by the hole in th’ ground, — 
th’ place where we crawl into th’ tunnel.” 

“What’s he doin’ there?” 

“Just waitin’. I told him I wouldn’t let him 
come in here till I told yo ” 

“WLat does he want?” 

“Toe join us.” 

“Yo’ didn’t tell him, did yo’?” 

“I didn’t tell him anything. He knew I come 
from yo’ an’ he was determined to jine. He’s 
scared an’ I reckon I don’t blame him over much. 
John Casler ” 

“Did yo’ all see John Casler?” interrupted the 
colonel. 

“I shore did. I had my troubles with him, let 
me tell yo’. He ” 

“Better wait befo’ yo’ tell me any mo’. I 
132 


AN ADDITION 


reckon th’ best thing toe do is toe get Sim Miller 
in here an’ let him say his say.” 

“I’ll go out an’ tell him,” volunteered Jim 
Paget, “but I’m not shore he’ll come back with 
me. Yo’ never see such a scared man in all yo’ 
bom days.” 

“Go get him,” said the colonel briefly. “I’ll 
wait fo’ yo’ right here.” 

Thus bidden Jim Paget once more entered the 
tunnel and crawled swiftly to the exit. 

He wisely warned the cobbler of his coming by 
calling in a low voice before he arrived and as a 
result Sim Miller was kneeling and peering into 
the dark hole when the lad appeared. 

“Yo’ there?” whispered Jim Paget as he 
emerged from the underground passageway. 

“Yas, suh,” replied the cobbler tremblingly. 
“Is that yo’, Jim Paget?” 

“It is,” whispered Jim. “Th’ colonel says as 
how yo’ all is toe come back with me.” 

“Me? Go into that hole in th’ ground? No, 
suh. I just cain ’t do that, nohow. ’ ’ 

“Yo’ either go in or yo’ go back alone an’ yo’ 
start right now.” 

“But I can’t go back alone.” 

“Then follow me into th’ hole. I’ll go ahead 
an’ all yo’ have toe do is toe keep up close toe 
me.” 

“Any snakes in there?” 

“I didn’t see any. It’s dark an ” 

133 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


“Go on. I’ll come er long,” broke in the terri- 
fied cobbler. 

“Whatever happens don’t yo’ all open yore 
mouth,” warned Jim Paget, as immediately he 
reentered the tunnel. He waited until he was 
positive that the cobbler was following him, and 
then he moved as rapidly as possible through the 
passage. Occasionally he stopped to make sure 
that Sim Miller was close behind him. He heard 
the deep breathing of the frightened man, but it 
was impossible to make himself heard in the 
cramped quarters. 

Convinced each time that the cobbler was fol- 
lowing, Jim Paget resumed his efforts and at last 
regained the base of the tree where he found 
Colonel Bludworth awaiting his arrival. The lad 
assisted the cobbler to stand and whispered to 
him, “The colonel is here. Now do just what we 
tell yo’ an’ don’t call out.” 

“Is that yo’ all, Colonel?” asked the cobbler 
in a loud whisper. 

“It shore is. What did yo’ come here fo’?” 

“I wanted toe see yo’. Yo’ all don’t know what 
we uns has toe suffer ” 

“I don’t want toe know, leastwise not right 
now. Do yo’ know what th’ Tories is plannin’ 
toe do ? ” 

“Yas, suh.” 

“Then yo’re sure enough welcome, Sim Miller. 
Nothin’ is er goin’ toe hurt yo’ but yo’ must keep 
still. I’ll send Jim Paget up aloft an’ then yo’ll 
134 


AN ADDITION 


go next. There isn’t a bit o’ danger but yo’ all ’ll 
think yo’re bein’ yanked up toe th’ skies. Don’t 
yo’ make a noise whatever happens.” 

Sim Miller promised to do his utmost to obey, 
although his terror was plainly manifest in the 
tones of his voice. 

“ Better go first, Jim Paget,” directed the 
colonel, 4 ‘an’ then maybe Sim Miller ’ll have a 
little more sand toe follow after yo’.” 

“Yas, suh, I’ll go first,” assented the lad as he 
speedily adjusted the rope and gave the signal. 
In a moment he was drawn upward. It was too 
dark to enable his companions to see him, but it 
was plain that the fears of Sim Miller were not 
allayed by the mysterious disappearance. Soon 
the rope was lowered again and Colonel Blud- 
worth assisted in adjusting it to the shoulders of 
Sim Miller. 

The little cobbler was almost in hysterics when 
the rope tightened and he was lifted into the air. 
However, he did not make any outcry and the 
colonel was relieved when the rope was lowered 
once more and he prepared to make his ascent. 

In a brief time he rejoined his friends on the 
platform where there was a dim light from a 
single candle. The portholes had been covered 
but even with that precaution the colonel was 
fearful lest a chance gleam might reveal their 
place of concealment. 

As soon as their visitor had been shown about 
the platform, the light was extinguished by the 
135 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

direction of the colonel, and, seated in the dark- 
ness, they listened first to the story of Jim Paget’s 
visit in Wilmington and then to the tale of the 
cobbler. 

The anger of Tim when the bound boy told of 
the brutality of John Casler was keen, but when 
Jim Paget described the Tory’s fight and flight 
from the dog he laughed aloud. 

“ Careful, son,” warned the colonel. “John 
Casler isn’t done with us yet. He may be prowlin’ 
’round outside right now, an’ yo’ all mustn’t let 
him know where we all be.” 

“We aren’t done with him, either,” retorted 
Tim. ‘ ‘ The doggone traitor ! ’ ’ 

“Let Sim Miller tell us what he knows an’ what 
he come here fo’,” suggested the colonel. 

Thus bidden, the cobbler with many words and 
detailed explanations described conditions in 
Wilmington. He told of the consternation 
created by the mysterious shots of Old Bess 
and how the Tories were planning on the 
following morning to meet again on Market 
Wharf for another start on their original 
project, — the burning of many houses of the 
patriots in the vicinity. He told how he him- 
self had gone to the wharf and mingled with the 
assembly, hoping thereby to obtain information 
that might aid his friends who were devoted to 
the Colonies. It appeared, however, that John 
Casler and other Tories, relying upon the Red- 
coats for support, had threatened him and ulti- 
136 


AN ADDITION 


mately had driven him away. Later they had 
established a watch on his shop, evidently sus- 
picious that the timid little cobbler might warn 
certain of the parties whose places they were plan- 
ning to raid. 

Doubtless it was in this manner they had 
learned of the coming of Jim Paget, and recog- 
nizing him as the bound boy of Colonel Bludworth, 
somehow had connected the latter with the mys- 
terious shots that had created havoc in the assem- 
bly on Market Wharf. 

“An’ when do these traitors plan toe start 
again ?” inquired the colonel when the cobbler’s 
tale was told. 

“To-morrow mornin’ right after sunup,” re- 
plied Sim Miller whose courage, now that he was 
in the midst of friends, was somewhat restored. 

“That’s a good time,” laughed Tim. “We’ll 
help ’em get a good start. Think we ought toe 
keep a guard all night?” he inquired of his father. 

“Yas, suh.” 

“Who’ll go on duty first? I’ll do it,” he added 
quickly. “Jim Paget has had enough for his 
share to-day.” 

“We’ll divide th’ night into five parts,” said 
Colonel Bludworth. “Now that Sim Miller has 
joined us he’ll be glad toe do his share. He can’t 
get back toe Wilmington anyway until this thing 
is all settled.” 

“I’ll do my part,” responded the cobbler 
, promptly. 


137 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


‘ 4 We’ll let Lige start in first. Th’ others can 
go toe sleep an’ when Lige thinks two hours is 
up he can call Tim an’ Tim can take a couple o’ 
hours an’ then call Jim Paget an’ he can wake 
Sim Miller and he can call me. I want toe be 
’round befo’ sunup so’s toe see th’ party Sim 
Miller’s been tellin’ us is a goin’ toe be held on 
th ’ old Market Wharf. ’ ’ 

“We all want toe be awake then,” said Tim 
quickly. 

“Never fear, son. I’ll call yo’ all. Now then, 
Lige, yo’ open up th’ porthole an’ be sure toe 
wake us up if yo’ see anything suspicious. Yo’ 
hear me, Lige. I said anything suspicious.” 

“Yas, suh, I sho’ly will,” answered the young 
negro. 

“An’ th’ same way with all th’ others.” 

All faithfully promised to do their best, and in 
a brief time every one except Lige was sleeping 
soundly. 


CHAPTER XII 


OLD BESS SPEAKS AGAIN 

T HE night passed without any excitement. The 
air was clear and not a sound broke in upon 
the stillness. Each member of the party served 
in turn as watch and was glad when he was re- 
lieved, as the monotony made it difficult to remain 
awake. 

Just at sunrise, however, Colonel Bludworth, 
who was on guard at the time, aroused his com- 
panions and as they hastened to peer out through 
the porthole he said, “It looks toe me as if the 
traitors were gettin’ ready for another meetin’ 
on the wharf.’ ’ 

Jim Paget, who was standing beside Tim said 
quickly, “They are a-comin’, as sure’s yo’re 
born. There must be twenty-five there right 
now. ’ ’ 

“The’ thought the’ could get ahead of us by 
gettin’ up early in th’ mornin’,” chuckled the 
colonel. “Old Bess ’ll have toe show ’em that 
other folks is early-risers too.” 

“Is she loaded?” inquired Tim excitedly. 

“She shore is,” answered his father. 

“Let me shoot her then,” begged the lad. 

139 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Not this time. Maybe I’ll give yo’ a chance 
later.” 

Neither Tim nor Jim Paget spoke, although the 
former winked knowingly at the bound boy. 
Both were thinking of the target of the painted 
Indian’s head at which all three had fired and 
they recalled that the colonel’s shot had been the 
poorest of them all. It would not do now to re- 
mind him of the fact, however, and both boys 
endeavored to ignore their disappointment, while 
they watched the colonel as he carefully inspected 
the priming and then thrust the barrel of the 
great rifle through the porthole. 

To them both Colonel Bludworth seemed to be 
unnaturally deliberate in his actions. Lige and 
Sim Miller were standing back but their interest 
was as keen as that of the others. An expression 
of fear was manifest on the face of the cobbler 
but he was too intent on the actions of the colonel 
to permit it to master him. 

“I reckon this is ’bout th’ time toe wam ’em 
toe get off th’ wharf,” the colonel was saying. 
“I don’t want toe spile their breakfast fo’ ’em, 
but like as not they’ve had that a long time ago. 
Speak up, old lady, an’ tell th’ doggone traitors 
they mustn’t be so naughty.” 

The colonel was speaking in low tones almost 
as if he were addressing himself, and as he ended 
he abruptly pulled the trigger. 

There was a report that for a moment seemed 
almost to rend asunder the very foundations of 
140 


OLD BESS SPEAKS AGAIN 


the huge cypress. The cobbler uttered a low ex- 
clamation but the boys instantly pressed forward 
to discover the effect of the shot. 

“ There’s one down!” exclaimed Jim Paget. 
“The ’re running around like a lot of ants. 
The ’re lookin’ up an’ down th’ river! Yes, an’ 
there go four men a carryin’ some one off th’ 
wharf.” 

“Think the ’ll find us here?” inquired Sim 
Miller in a voice that trembled. 

“No man knows,” said the colonel solemnly. 
“Likely the ’ll get us sooner or later but right now 
the’ don’t ’pear toe locate us. There the’ go!” 
he added. “The ’re all a-departin’ from th’ 
wharf. What d’ yo’ s’pose the ’re up toe now?” 

“From th’ way the ’re lookin’ all ’round an’ 
’specially behind ’em,” laughed Jim Paget, “it 
doesn’t look ’s if the’d be any one left on Market 
Wharf pretty quick. ’ ’ 

“Does seem’s if the’ wasn’t very fond o’ th’ 
place,” drawled the colonel. 

“Think the ’ll come back?” asked the cobbler. 

“I reckon the ’ll come,” replied Colonel Blud- 
worth. 

“When?” 

“If I knew I’d be a lot wiser ’n I am now.” 

“They’re all gone now anyway,” said Jim 
Paget. “Some o’ ’em ’pear toe be startin’ off 
in boats again. Yo’ don’t reckon the’ saw th’ 
smoke o’ Old Bess, do yo’?” 

141 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

4 ‘The' didn’t,’ ’ said the colonel positively. 
“The’ couldn’t see it. I took p’ticular pains toe 
watch out for that. No, suh, Old Bess knows how 
toe behave better ’n that?” 

“I’m hungry,” spoke up Tim. “Let’s eat.” 

The suggestion instantly met with approval and 
as soon as Lige had been selected to stand as 
watchman at the porthole the colonel and Jim 
Paget opened the baskets which Aunt Judy had 
packed and a hearty breakfast was enjoyed. The 
meal had barely been completed, however, when 
Lige abruptly warned them that matters of inter- 
est were taking place on the wharf. “The ’re 
cornin’ back,” he declared. “The ’re in a hurry, 
too. See ’em, Colonel?” 

Instantly all rushed to the porthole and a hasty 
glance confirmed the statement of the black boy. 
The Tories were running about the wharf and it 
was evident plans of unusual importance were in 
preparation. 

“What the’ doin’?” whispered Sim. 

Colonel Bludworth did not reply as he keenly 
peered at the assembly. It was plain that he was 
perplexed by the manifest haste of the Tories, 
but as yet he was unable to discover the cause. 

After a brief delay he reached for Old Bess and 
said quietly, “I reckon the ’re tryin’ toe get away 
so quick that the’ think there won’t be any chance 
toe fire at ’em. Old Bess ’ll teach ’em a thing or 
two ’bout that.” 

This time he did not delay. Before his corn- 
142 


OLD BESS SPEAKS AGAIN 


panions were frilly aware of his intention he aimed 
and fired. 

Instantly the commotion increased on the 
wharf. Whatever plans the Tories had formed 
they quickly abandoned them. There was a wild 
flight from the place and again four men were 
seen carrying a disabled Tory toward the street. 

“That’s great !” laughed Tim. “The’ don’t 
know where th’ trouble comes from but th’ isn’t 
any diff ’rence o’ opinion ’bout it’s bein’ right on 
hand.” 

4 4 Better do yore laughin’ right soon, son,” said 
Colonel Bludworth soberly. 4 4 Maybe yo ’ all won ’t 
get ’nother chance very soon.” 

44 Yo’ think they know where we are?” inquired 
Tim anxiously. 

44 I don’t reckon the’ do — yet.” 

44 Yo’ think they’ll find us?” 

4 4 The ’re fools if the’ don’t.” 

4 4 But how’ll the’ do it? The’ don’t know ’bout 
a gun that can carry as far as Old Bess, an’ yo’ 
said yo’self the’ didn’t see any smoke when yo’ 
shot.” 

4 4 No more did the’. But that doesn’t mean that 
the’ never will find us.” 

4 4 But how can they find us?” persisted Tim. 

4 4 The ’ll keep a-searchin’ an’ a-lookin’ an’ then 
some time the first thing yo’ know the ’ll spot us 
right where we be.” 

4 4 What ’ll we do then?” 

4 4 Do th’ best we can.” 

143 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


“How can we get away!” 

“We'll just have toe wait an' see. We shan't 
give up without a fight.” 

4 ‘Why not get away befo' the' come an' find 
us!” 

“It'll be time 'nough fo' us toe decide what 
we all'll do when th' time comes.” 

Throughout the excitement Sim Miller had been 
unusually quiet. He was in great fear, as his pale 
face and trembling hands bore ample testimony. 
He had eaten only a little of the breakfast and 
had made no response to the good-natured raillery 
of the boys. 

All were surprised therefore when the little 
cobbler suddenly said, “Colonel Bludworth, d' yo' 
reckon it would be a good thing fo' me toe try toe 
get back into Wilmington. ' ' 

“What fo'?” asked Colonel Bludworth sharply. 
“Are yo' scared toe stay here?” 

“I might find out what's goin' on.” 

“What good would that do us?” 

“I might report toe yo'.” 

“How would yo' all do that?” 

“Jim Paget could paddle me 'cross toe th' other 
side. Then he might wait an' bring me back.” 

“Wait where?” 

“On th' other side.” 

“How long would yo' be gone, Sim Miller? If 
John Casler saw yo’ he might s'picion yo' was 
mixed up 'long with us. If he did yo' would have 
yore troubles. ' ' 


144 


OLD BESS SPEAKS AGAIN 


* 1 So I would,” acknowledged the cobbler humbly. 
“But it’s worth tryin’. If yo’ all could know 
what th’ Tories are plannin’ toe do next, yo’d 
be a sight better oft. Fo’ all yo’ know they may 
be settin’ out by land toe burn yore place.” 

The suggestion was somewhat startling and for 
a brief time Colonel Bludworth was silent. “I 
reckon the’s somethin’ in what yo’ say, Sim 
Miller. What do yo’ say?” he added, turning to 
Jim Paget as he spoke. 

“I’m willin’,” said the lad simply. 

“Better let me go this time,’ suggested Tim. 
“Jim Paget went th’ other time.” 

“It’s better fo’ Jim Paget toe go if any one 
goes,” said the colonel. “Just because he went 
fiefo’ is th’ very reason why he’s th’ one toe go 
now. He’s had a chance toe find out what not toe 
do. That’s a good half o’ th’ battle in a fight like 
this.” 

A brief discussion followed and it was soon de- 
cided that Jim Paget should paddle the cobbler 
across the river and after landing him should con- 
ceal his canoe and await his return. They decided 
also that the attempt should be made at once. It 
was early morning and doubtless the thoughts of 
the Tories would be upon the strange shots which 
had scattered the assembly on Market Wharf. If 
Jim Paget could succeed in helping the cobbler 
land before the fresh search which they were cer- 
tain to make, then an additional advantage would 
be obtained, as the Tories would discuss various 
145 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

measures before they undertook new plans to dis- 
cover the hiding place of the mysterious enemy 
that four times had scattered the crowd which had 
assembled on the old wharf. 

Jim Paget and the cobbler were at once low- 
ered to the ground and Sim with fear and trem- 
bling followed the bound boy as he crawled 
through the tunnel. Sim Miller had promised 
faithfully that he would not talk, and as he now 
was aware of the peril of the attempted return to 
Wilmington his friends were hopeful that his fear 
would restrain his tendency to talk too much or 
at an inopportune moment. 

After they emerged from the underground pas- 
sage Jim Paget first looked all about to assure 
himself that they were not observed, then con- 
vinced that no one was watching, he bade his com- 
panion follow him and swiftly led the way toward 
the place where he had concealed his canoe. This 
time the cobbler only once slipped and fell into the 
mud. He was a sorry object to behold when Jim 
Paget dragged him out, but no time was wasted 
in trying to make him presentable. The necessity 
of haste was urgent and Sim Miller stumbled for- 
ward, doing his utmost to move safely and si- 
lently as he followed the active lad. 

They found the canoe where they had left it, 
and apparently they had not been seen when they 
drew it forth and took their places on board the 
frail little craft. The winding, narrow little 
creek, down which they were moving, was nearly 
146 


OLD BESS SPEAKS AGAIN 

covered by the branches of the bushes that grew 
rank on either side. Even where the stream en- 
tered the river the growth was so rank that it 
would have been difficult for one not familiar with 
the spot to find the place. Indeed, Colonel Blud- 
worth had chanced upon it on one of his fox hunts 
and had noted the landmarks more because of 
curiosity than from a belief that he would ever 
need to find a refuge there. 

As Jim Paget drew near the place where the 
creek flowed into the larger stream his precautions 
increased. He was paddling slowly and silently, 
occasionally glancing at the cobbler as if to renew 
his appeal for silence. Sim Miller, however, was 
in such fear that his companion’s warning was 
not required. There was an expression of alarm 
on his countenance and he was leaning forward as 
if he was helping every effort of the paddler. 

Just before he arrived at the river Jim Paget 
drew in his paddle and placed it within easy 
reach on the bottom of the canoe. Then grasping 
the overhanging boughs, he slowly and cautiously 
drew the canoe forward, all the time listening in- 
tently for sounds that might betray the presence 
of his enemies. The bow was within the shelter 
of the brush when the lad gained a place from 
which he was able to look out over the broad 
waters before him. 

Instantly he pulled the canoe back and placed 
his fingers for a moment on his lips, silently warn- 
ing his companion. Not a word was spoken as 
147 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


Jim Paget peered through the brush at a sight 
which plainly had alarmed him. 

He shook his head at Sim Miller whose un- 
spoken question was evident in the expression of 
his eyes. Jim Paget remained silent, peering 
eagerly through the bushes before he turned again 
to the cobbler and whispered, “ There’s a skiff 
out there with four men in it.” 

“Coinin' or goin'?” whispered Sim Miller. 

“Cornin'.” 

“What fo'?” 

“I dunno. The's only one man a rowin'.” 

A brief silence followed and then Jim Paget 
whispered, “The 're goin' toe land.” 

“Where?” 

“Down shore, 'bout a hundred an' fifty yards. 
Yes, the 're landin' shore's yo're born. No, only 
one has gone ashore. Th' others are cornin' on. 
The 're headed this way. The 're creepin' close in 
shore. I wonder what the’ put one o' 'em ashore 
fo'.” 

“Maybe he's goin' toe creep up behind us an' 
cut us off.” 

“The’ don't know we all are here. I know 
what the 're a-doin',” suddenly exclaimed Jim 
Paget in a loud whisper. 

“What the' doin’?” 

“The 're a-puttin' these men ashore toe be on th' 
watchout for th' place where th' men that's firin' 
Old Bess are hidin'. Yas, suh, that's their plan 
exactly. The 're a-goin’ toe leave men all 'long the 
148 


OLD BESS SPEAKS AGAIN 


shore and then when th’ next shot is fired some 
one o’ ’em ’ll be able toe tell just where it’s lo- 
cated. There isn’t any need o’ yore goin’ back 
toe Wilmington,” he added, “we all have found 
out already just what th’ doggone traitors are 
tryin’ toe do. Th’ thing for us toe do is toe put 
straight back an’ tell th’ colonel. Th’ first thing 
we know the ’ll have a line all ’long this shore an’ 
th’ colonel won’t be able toe fire Old Bess an’ we 
all’ll be shut up here just exac’ly like a lot o’ rats 
caught in a trap.” 

“Goin’ back right away or goin’ toe stay here 
a spell an’ watch th’ Tories?” 

Jim Paget hesitated a moment and then said, 
“That’s a good idea. We’ll stay right where we 
be an’ find out what more’s goin’ on.” 

The lad once more pulled the canoe forward to 
a place from which he was able to see what was 
occurring on the river. He did not report to his 
companion, although his intense interest in what 
he saw indicated plainly that stirring events were 
taking place. 

For a half-hour Jim Paget remained and then 
abruptly began to pull the little canoe back up the 
creek. 

“The’ landed all three o’ th’ other men,” he 
explained when the canoe was restored to its> 
hiding place. 

“Scatter ’em all?” 

“Yes. The’ left th’ men not more’n two hun- 
dred yards apart.” 


149 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“D’ yo’ s’pose the’ve done th’ same thing on 
th’ other shore f ” 

“Prob’ly, an’ it’s more’n likely the’ve done th’ 
same thing ’long th’ shore below th’ wharf. 
The’ve made np their minds I reckon that whoever 
is firin’ at ’em is outside th’ town. The ’re on th’ 
right road now. It’s just as th’ colonel said, 
the ’ll find out if we keep it up long ’nough.” 

“Why don’t we all get out then right now?” 

“I reckon it’s too late.” 

“What? D’ yo’ mean toe say we’re caught in 
that old cypress?” demanded the cobbler in great 
excitement. 

“Yo’ aren’t in it now, Sim Miller. The’s no 
one forcin’ yo’ toe go back thar’ if yo’ don’t want 
toe go.” 

“I’m a-goin’,” said the cobbler positively. 

“That’s good, hut yo’ll have toe take yore 
chance ’long with th’ rest o’ us.” 

“I’m a-goin’ an’ I’m a-goin’ right now,” re- 
peated the cobbler as he turned to the pathway. 

“Better let me go ahead,” suggested Jim Paget. 
“I know the way better ’n yo’ do, though I reckon 
yo’ all can show me th’ mudholes.” 

As soon as the lad had once more looked to the 
safety of the canoe he turned quickly into the way 
that led to the huge cypress. He was eager now 
to inform Colonel Bludworth of his discovery and 
learn what was next to he done. 


CHAPTER XIH 


THB APPROACH OF THE TORIES 

I N their eagerness both Jim Paget and the cob- 
bler soon arrived at the base of the cypress 
tree and at once crawled into the underground 
passage. Fear of snakes was now ignored and in 
their zeal to report to the colonel, even the Tories 
were for the moment forgotten. They must in- 
form their companions that their enemies had de- 
vised a plan which threatened their safety and 
might endanger their lives. 

Jim Paget was the first to give the signal and 
was swiftly drawn to the platform. Without 
waiting for Sim Miller to join him, the excited boy 
said to Colonel Bludworth, “TIP Tories will get 
us!” 

“The’ haven’t got us yet,” drawled the colonel. 
His manner of speech, however, did not conceal 
his anxiety and for the time, unmindful of the 
repeated signals of the cobbler below, the excited 
band crowded about Jim Paget, eager to hear his 
report. “Tell us about it, son,” suggested the 
colonel, as soon as the bound boy recovered his 
breath. 

“We was just pushin’ out into th’ river,” Jim 
151 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


Paget explained, “when I saw a boat with fonr 
men in it. In a little while the’ landed one o’ th’ 
men on th’ shore an’ then rowed on ’bout a hun- 
dred yards an’ landed another. Then the’ put th’ 
third man just ’bout as far from th’ second man 
as th’ second was from th’ first an’ th’ man who 
was rowin’ began toe pull back for Wilmington.” 

“What did the’ land th’ three men fo’?” in- 
quired Tim. “I don’t see.” 

“Jim Paget thinks the’ have stationed these 
men as lookouts or guards,” explained the colonel. 
“Is that it?” he inquired of the bound boy. 

“That’s it exac’ly. The’ are a-goin’ toe have 
men all along either shore o’ th’ river an’ when 
Old Bess speaks again the’ think some one o’ 
’em ’ll be able toe locate th’ man that’s firin’ her.” 

“That’s bad fo’ us,” said Tim. 

“It shore is,” continued Jim Paget. “I don’t 
see any other way fo’ us except toe get away 
from here right soon.” 

“Do yo’ want toe leave?” inquired the colonel 
quietly. 

“I don’t want ’em toe catch me here like a rat 
in a trap.” 

“S’pose th’ rest o’ us want toe be caught?” 
demanded Tim quickly. 

“I dunno. I reckon I hadn’t thought much 
’bout it. ’ ’ 

“Well, we don’t, an’ what’s more we all don’t 
intend toe be caught! Do we, pop?” demanded 
Tim, turning to his father as he spoke. 

152 


THE APPROACH OF THE TORIES 


“I don’t want any one toe stay here unless he 
wants toe,” said the colonel. 

“I’m not plannin’ toe leave yo’,” spoke up Jim 
Paget. 4 ‘ My ’pinion is that we all better get out. 
If we can’t shoot with Old Bess the’ won’t be 
much toe gain by stayin’. We’d better be startin’ 
while we can get out o’ here. There’s that cob- 
bler,” he added hastily, as a renewed call from 
Sim Miller came from the base of the tree. “I 
declare, I’d ’most forgotten ’bout him.” 

Jim Paget hastily lowered the rope and the 
little cobbler, protesting vigorously against the 
neglect to heed his former signals, was drawn to 
the platform. His presence, however, was ig- 
nored and the conversation continued. 

“We’re here,” said the colonel, “an’ in my 
’pinion it’s safer toe stay here than it is toe try 
toe get away yet awhile. We may have toe give 
up our shootin’ for a spell, but ” 

The colonel was interrupted by an exclamation 
from Lige, who was looking out of the porthole. 
“The’ is er cornin’ back!” he exclaimed in a low 
voice. 

i ‘ Who’s er cornin’?” demanded the colonel as 
he advanced quickly to the side of the black boy. 

One look was sufficient to confirm the statement 
Lige had made. On Market Wharf several men 
were to be seen. Their activities, however, were 
very different from those of the preceding as- 
semblies. Not more than a half dozen men were 
there now and they were running about on the 
153 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

wharf, the actions betraying either their fears or 
that some new project was in their minds. 

< 4 The ’ ’pear toe be a bit nervous,” chuckled 
Colonel Bludworth, as he reached for his gun. 
“We all must try toe soothe their troubled 
feelin’s.” 

“Yo’ aren’t goin toe shoot, are yo’f” asked 
Tim hastily. 

“I shore am.” 

“But th’ guards may spot yo’.” 

“Can’t help that. Have toe take some chances 
in this troubled world.” 

“What’ll yo’ do if the’ spy us?” 

“Decide that when th’ time comes. Just now 
I’m a-goin’ toe let ’em have it. If ’twasn’t so 
important I’d let one o’ you boys shoot her. As 
it is, I reckon I’d better be th’ one.” 

As he spoke Colonel Bludworth thrust the bar- 
rel of the huge rifle through the porthole and 
raised the stock to his shoulder. To the waiting 
boys he seemed to be taking an undue amount of 
time in his preliminary efforts. At last, how- 
ever, he sighted the rifle to his satisfaction and 
pulled the trigger. 

An expression of disgust escaped his lips as 
soon as he became aware of the result of his shot. 
“Missed!” he muttered. “I’ll load her up again 
an’ have Tim or Jim Paget shoot. Neither can 
do any worse than I did.” 

The boys, meanwhile had leaped to the porthole 
154 


THE APPROACH OF THE TORIES 


and were peering eagerly at the wharf. It was 
obvious that no one there had fallen, although 
the men were aware of the shot that had been fired. 
They were dodging about the place and after a 
hasty effort to discover the direction from which 
the bullet had come, for it had lodged in a plank, 
all six men turned, and, running swiftly from the 
wharf, speedily disappeared from sight. 

“The* was just tryin’ toe draw yore fire,” said 
Tim boldly. “ There wasn’t ’nough o’ ’em on the 
old wharf toe give yo’ much o’ a mark. I reckon 
all the’ wanted was toe get yo’ toe shoot an’ then 
the’ left the rest toe th’ men the’ve stood along 
th’ shore.” 

“ Maybe so,” acknowledged the colonel. 

“What yo’ goin’ toe do ’bout it?” 

“First off I’m goin’ toe have all three o’ yo’ 
boys keep a lookout through all three o ’ th ’ port- 
holes. If yo’ see a sign o’ a man moving any- 
where ’round these parts let me know. I want 
toe try that fo’ ’bout an hour an’ then I’ll tell yo’ 
what toe do next.” 

Instantly the three boys took their positions as 
indicated and for a time were keenly watching the 
adjacent swamp. When the minutes slowly 
passed, however, and not a sign of the presence 
of any of their enemies was seen the task became 
monotonous. 

At last Tim said, “We haven’t seen hide nor 
hair o’ a Tory, pop.” 


155 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

Colonel Bludworth was silent a brief time be- 
fore he said, “Yo' all want toe know what I'm 
plannin' toe do next?” 

“Yas, suh.” 

^I’m a-goin' toe tell yo'. I reckon I'll take one 
o' th’ lighter gnns an' go down toe th' swamp a 
spell. ' ' 

“What for?” 

“I'll just wander like up 'long Nigger Head 
Point an' maybe I'll run across some game. I've 
seen good shootin' in these here parts befo'.” 

“Let Jim Paget or me go in yore place,” 
pleaded Tim. “Yo' all are needed here toe fire 
Old Bess. S'pose some one comes chasin’ us right 
up toe th' hole in th' ground, th' only way we all 
could get away would be toe have a good shot toe 
pick 'em off. ' ' 

“No, suh, I'm a-goin' myself,” declared the 
colonel stubbornly. 

“Then let Jim Paget or me go 'long with yo'.” 

Colonel Bludworth hesitated a moment and 
then said, “Not this time. I'm a-goin' out toe 
see what's go in' on. I reckon some doggone Tory 
is a-waitin' fo' me out there somewhere an' it 
would be a pity toe dis 'point him. I reckon 
there'll be plenty o' chances for yo' boys toe go 
huntin' befo' we get clean away from Nigger 
Head Point, so yo' all just hold yore horses an' 
keep a good watch while I'm gone. It may be 
yo'll have toe fight off some Tory a-chasin' me 
156 


THE APPROACH OF THE TORIES 


like Tim said. If any one does, let him have Old 
Bess. I reckon any one o’ yo’ can shoot well 
enough toe do that for me. But keep a mighty 
sharp lookout all the while.” 

Colonel Bludworth, at once selecting a light gun, 
was speedily lowered at his insistent demand, and 
disappeared from sight. The feeling of anxiety 
was keen in the hearts of the three boys when they 
were aware that they had been left behind. Each 
one endeavored to maintain an appearance of con- 
fidence which he was far from feeling but each 
was aware of the fears of his companions. 

They had taken their places at the portholes in 
obedience to the directions of the colonel and for 
a time as they peered out at the adjacent region 
no one spoke. 

Tim Bludworth, who seldom was able to be 
silent long, soon turned to Jim Paget, saying, 
U D’ yo’ really think that was a trick o’ those 
Tories?” 

“Yas, suh, I reckon it was.” 

“What made pop go then?” 

“He said he wanted toe find out what was goin’ 
on.” 

“I’m af eared he’ll find it,” muttered Tim, as 
he once more turned to his point of observation. 
“I reckon those doggone Tories ’ll get him as 
shore’s yo’re born.” 

“D’ yo’ know in which direction he went?” 

“No, suh, I haven’t seen him since he left here. 
Maybe he’s in th’ tunnel right now.” 

157 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

1 i He’s out o’ there by now. He said he was 
goin’ out on th’ Point.” 

“I don’t see what fo’ he wanted toe go anyway. 
I’m feared for him.” 

4 ‘Don’t yo’ all be scared, Tim. I reckon th’ 
colonel won ’t get lost. ’ ’ 

Somewhat comforted by the confidence of his 
friend, Tim resumed his watch. The moments 
passed slowly and there apparently was nothing 
to increase the anxiety of the boys. Once Lige 
reported that he had discovered a boat coming up 
the creek, but a close inspection proved that he 
had mistaken a bush for a skiff. 

A half hour later, however, Jim Paget, who was 
stationed at the porthole through which the view 
of Wilmington was to be had, suddenly exclaimed 
in a loud whisper, “Come here, Tim! Be quick!” 

“What is it? What yo’ see?” inquired Tim, as 
he instantly advanced to the side of his friend and 
looked out through the porthole. 

“Look off there toe yore right,” directed Jim 
Paget. ‘ 1 What do yo ’ see ? ’ ’ 

“I don’t see anything out o’ th’ way.” 

“Look again. Right in th’ line o’ that gum 
tree. Just wait a minute if yo’ don’t see it first 
off. Yo’ll shore see ” 

“I see it! I see it!” Tim broke in excitedly. 
“There’s somethin’ movin’ there as shore as 
yo’re born! What d’ yo’ reckon ’tis?” 

“Look right at it !” 


158 


THE APPROACH OF THE TORIES 


“I am a-lookin’ at it. It’s three men; that’s 
what ’tis.” 

‘ 4 That’s right. Now watch ’em an’ see which 
way the ’re headin’ for.” 

“The ’re cornin’ here!” 

“Can’t tell yet awhile. Looks toe me’s if the’ 
was workin’ on a plan toe head oft th’ colonel by 
gettin’ between him an’ this tree.” 

“Yo’ think the’ ’spect th’ tree?” 

“I dunno ’bout that. ’Twouldn’t be surprisin’. 
We’ve got toe watch ’em ev’ry minute. ’Twon’t 
do toe fire at ’em, leastwise unless we have toe.” 

“We’ve got toe keep our eyes on ’em.” 

“We have shore ’nough,” assented Jim Paget. 

Both boys became silent as they watched the 
actions of the three men they had discovered in 
the swamp. The fear that their hiding place was 
now known was soon dispelled for the men evi- 
dently were not coming toward it. 

What their presence implied was not yet clear, 
nor did their actions at first reveal their purpose 
in coming. They were keeping closely together 
and advancing in single file. Occasionally they 
stopped to look about them, but speedily resumed 
their advance, leaping from one hummock to 
another and frequently stopping to drive away 
the mosquitoes that settled over them in clouds. 

“The ’re not cornin’ here,” whispered Tim at 
last. 

“Doesn’t look so, just now. Maybe the ’re goin’ 
on an’ come back toe us on’ th’ other side.” 

159 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Like ’Dough.” 

“I’d like toe send a bullet over there. The’d 
jump ’round livelier ’n the’ do now.” 

“The ’re lively ’nough. The ’re puttin’ for the 
creek. ’ ’ 

“Yas, suh, the’ be.” 

“If the’ do the ’ll head off pop.” 

“I’m afraid so. We can’t do anything toe head 
’em off. ’ ’ 

“We can’t? Why can’t we?” 

“If we should try it the’d find us befo’ the’ did 
th’ colonel. The’d get us an’ we wouldn’t be able 
toe give him any warnin’.” 

“I’m goin’ toe try it,” declared Tim quickly. 

“Goin’ toe try what?” 

“Toe get in between ’em an’ pop. He’s got 
toe get word that th’ doggone Tories are on his 
trail. It doesn’t look’s if the’ s’pected anything 
wrong ’bout th’ old cypress an’ so the’ won’t be 
cornin’ here yet awhile. But if the’ get track o’ 
pop an’ then get in between him an’ th’ tree, the’ 
won’t have a bit o’ trouble in headin’ him off. 
I’ve just got toe get word toe him o’ his danger.” 

Jim Paget, in spite of the fact that he was two 
years younger than his friend, was, nevertheless, 
the leading spirit. His anxiety for the safety of 
Colonel Bludworth was as keen as that of Tim and 
for a moment he was almost tempted to go and 
leave Tim as the watch at the old cypress. Aware, 
however, as he looked into Tim’s face of the eager- 
160 


THE APPROACH OF THE TORIES 


ness of the boy to undertake the task, he made no 
protest. 

“I reckon yo’ better go,” he said thoughtfully. 
“ Maybe yo’ can find th’ colonel an’ let him know 
tip Tories are after him. If they should spy yo’ 
before the’ get sight o’ tip colonel yo’ll have toe 
look out. Maybe yo’d better put straight back 
here, though yo’ want toe look out yo’ don’t bring 
tip Tories with yo’. Remember this is tip only 
place tip colonel has got toe hide in.” 

“I know,” answered Tim, as he prepared to de- 
part. “I wish we had Sim Miller back in Wil- 
mington safe an’ sound. ’Twould be a good load 
off our backs.” 

‘ ‘ Sim’s all right, ’ ’ said Jim Paget glibly. ‘ 4 Th ’ 
ones yo’ all want toe look after are yore pop an’ 
yo’self. Never mind ’bout th’ rest o’ us.” 

Tim at once prepared to depart. With many 
misgivings the cobbler protested but the lad was 
determined. He was convinced that his father 
was in peril and must be warned. He himself 
was the only one to warn him. 

In a brief time Tim had selected a rifle and then 
was lowered by his comrades to the ground. He 
quickly disappeared from sight and then Jim 
Paget rushed to the porthole to discover what the 
approaching men were doing. The sight upon 
which he looked was one that instantly aroused 
him. For a moment he stared almost blankly 
down at the swamp below him and then abruptly 
turned to Lige. 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE SURPKISE OF JOHN CASLER 

N OT more than forty yards from the old cy- 
press stood John Casler. The Tory had 
approached the place where he was standing from 
the side opposite the hole in the ground and con- 
sequently had not discovered the many footprints 
about the entrance. He was motionless, gazing 
about him and frequently looking at the high tree 
which overtopped all the region. Apparently he 
was suspicious of the locality hut as yet had not 
seen anything that convinced him that he had 
found the hiding place of the man or men who 
had tired the mysterious shots into the assembly 
of Tories on Market Wharf. 

Startled as Jim Paget was by the discovery of 
the presence of his enemy, he was speedily con- 
vinced that the man had no certain knowledge of 
the place of refuge in the cypress. He was merely 
inspecting the region, just as doubtless others 
were doing all along the shore. The Tory, how- 
ever, was so near and the possibility of his learn- 
ing the truth was so great that the bound boy was 
greatly alarmed. 

For a moment he was tempted to use Old Bess. 
Her voice was one to heed. But the peril would 
162 


THE SURPRISE OF JOHN CASLER 

be increased by the report of the gun if others 
were near, and the very fact that Colonel Blud- 
worth and Tim had gone to find out what the 
presence of the men that they had seen might 
mean, also caused him to hesitate. If the colonel 
should be cut off from a return to the cypress or 
Tim should be seen by John Casler or his com- 
panions, the peril of both would be greatly in- 
creased by a shot from the fortress in the treetop. 

These thoughts had flashed through the mind 
of Jim Paget before he summoned Lige to join 
him. Sim Miller was staring at the boys and 
plainly alarmed, although he had not seen the 
sight which had startled the bound boy. 

“We must watch that man,” whispered Jim 
Paget to Lige when the latter stepped forward 
and in obedience to a signal had looked and had 
seen the Tory. “If he comes to th’ tree we’ll 
have toe shoot an’ take our chances.” 

“He’s er cornin’!” whispered Lige in great ex- 
citement. “ He ’s er comin ’ this way ! ’ ’ 

Jim Paget quickly was aware that the Tory was 
indeed approaching. John Casler had leaped from 
one hummock to another and seemed about to in- 
clude the old tree in his closer investigation. The 
moment was critical and demanded prompt ac- 
tion. The bound boy’s freckled face was pale but 
there was an expression of determination about 
his lips that gave evidence that he was not yet 
ready to give up. 

“Yo’ an’ Sim Miller must lower me toe th’ 
163 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

ground/ ’ he said quickly. “Yas, yo’ all come too, 
Lige,” he added. “Til take a gun an’ a rope.” 

“Wha’ we all goin’ toe do?” demanded Lige 
whose excitement now was keen. 

“If that doggone Tory tries toe come into th’ 
tunnel we’ll rope him or shoot him. We’ll just 
have toe do it, Lige. If we don’t he’ll get us an’ 
maybe the colonel an’ Tim, too. Yas, suh, we’ll 
have toe do it an’ do it right soon.” 

John Casler now was without question ap- 
proaching the tree. Swiftly Jim Paget selected a 
gun and a rope and then bidding Lige to follow 
him as soon as the long rope had been drawn up, 
he quickly was lowered. 

Delaying at the base of the tree only long 
enough to fashion a noose in the rope he was 
carrying, he quickly crawled into the tunnel and 
moved rapidly toward the exit. 

When he arrived there he cautiously crawled 
out and without rising lifted his head and looked 
about him. Not more than ten feet distant stood 
John Casler hut fortunately his hack was turned 
at the moment and the Tory was looking toward 
Wilmington. 

Instantly Jim Paget drew backward into the 
tunnel, stopping when his body was hidden and 
yet he was able to see what was taking place di- 
rectly before him. He saw the Tory turn and 
stoop to examine the footprints he found and then 
look up to the top of the old cypress tree. 

An exclamation of satisfaction at his discovery 
164 


THE SURPRISE OF JOHN CASLER 

escaped him and then he bent low to peer into the 
hole in the ground. 

At that moment Jim Paget became aware that 
Lige had come and was directly behind him in the 
tunnel. It was impossible for any one to pass him, 
for the tunnel was small, as we know, but the 
knowledge that help was near if help should be 
needed strengthened the bound boy’s courage and 
he again was excitedly watching the Tory. 

Apparently convinced by his inspection that he 
had found the place he had been seeking, John 
Casler arose and looked again at the tall cypress. 
He seemed to have no fear, for he made no effort 
to conceal himself. He drew forth a pipe from his 
pocket which he filled and then prepared to light 
it by his flint and tinder. His back was now 
toward the hole in the ground and he was bending 
low in order to shelter the spark from the gentle 
breeze which was blowing. 

Acting instantly, Jim Paget, drawing his rope 
with him, crept forth from the tunnel. Somehow 
his movements reminded him of the crawling 
snake he had killed that day when Tim had first 
told him of the plan of the Tories to meet in Wil- 
mington. There was no time, however, to think 
of snakes and he crawled out upon the moist 
ground. The Tory was still busied in his task 
and as Jim Paget’s movements were noiseless he 
apparently was not alarmed. 

The bound boy cautiously advanced three steps. 
He was not aware that Lige already had crawled 
165 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

out from the tunnel and was following him. At 
that moment John Casler succeeded in lighting 
his pipe and as he drew himself up to his full 
length Jim Paget instantly flung his noose. 

Startled by the unexpected attack, John Casler 
discovered the presence of his enemy and with an 
exclamation of rage leaped toward him. But the 
lad was prepared for this action and, instantly 
jumping behind a small tree, he obtained a pur- 
chase on his rope and began to pull. At the same 
time he shouted “Lige! Lige! Come and help 
me.” 

The negro boy instantly responded and, agile 
as a monkey, he leaped upon the back of the Tory 
and brought him to the ground. At the same mo- 
ment Jim Paget exerted all his strength in his 
pull upon the rope with the result that the Tory 
was desperately trying to free himself from the 
tightening pull of the noose. The struggle was 
violent for a time as John Casler, gasping and 
doing his utmost to free himself and at the same 
time striking and kicking at the negro boy who 
clung desperately to him throughout the contest, 
tried to tear away the encircling rope. Jim 
Paget pulled upon the rope until the head of the 
Tory was drawn forward. John Casler was di- 
recting all his efforts toward an attempt to save 
himself from the steadily tightening noose. 

His efforts, however, were largely thwarted by 
Lige. The black boy pulled at his arms and threw 
himself before the Tory, who was now prostrate 
166 


THE SURPRISE OF JOHN CASLER 


on the ground. His face was purple and his 
breathing difficult and loud. 

“We got him,” gasped Lige. “We shore got 
him!” 

There was no question in the mind of Jim 
Paget concerning the truth of the black boy’s 
statement. He was not at all certain, however, 
what they could do next, now that they had the 
Tory in their power. 

The problem was unexpectedly solved, however, 
by the sudden appearance of Colonel Bludworth 
who was returning to the fortress in the treetop. 
For an instant he gazed in astonishment at the 
two boys and their helpless victim and then, in- 
stantly aware of what was occurring, he sprang 
forward as he said, “Hold him tight, boys! Hold 
him tight! Just a minute!” 

Deftly the colonel relieved the prostrate Tory 
of his weapons and then as soon as he was con- 
vinced that the man was harmless, he said, “Let 
go th’ rope, Jim Paget. Lige, yo’ let him up.” 

The two boys instantly obeyed and as Jim 
Paget relaxed his hold upon the rope, the colonel 
said to the fallen man, “Get up, John Casler.” 

After a momentary delay the Tory staggered to 
his feet, his face betraying his rage and helpless- 
ness as he tore the rope from his neck and faced 
Colonel Bludworth. “What yo’ all goin’ toe do 
next?” he demanded. 

“What shall we do, boys?” inquired the colonel, 

167 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

as he looked half quizzically at his companions. 
“ Shall we string him up for th' crows toe pick an’ 
then leave him as a warnin' toe th' rest o’ th’ 
doggone traitors, or shall we shoot him and rid 
the earth once an’ for all of such creatures ?” 

“Take him up toe th' platform,” suggested Jim 
Paget. 

“Have we got room?” 

“Plenty.” 

“We'll have toe tie him down.” 

“We can do that.” 

“Maybe 'twould he better toe turn him loose 
an' let him go.” 

“No, suh! No, suh,” protested Jim Paget 
quickly. “He'd have th' Tories 'round us like a 
lot o' yellow jackets. Th' easiest way 'd be toe 
shoot him an' be done with it.” 

“ 'Twouldn't be th' best way, though. Th' 
thing for us toe do is to fix him so't he can't do 
any more harm. Either tie him up hereabout or 
take him up toe th' platform an’ keep him there 
till we all 're out o' this.” 

“I reckon yo're c'rect, boy.” 

Before they could act upon the suggestion John 
Casler suddenly sent forth a loud call for help. 
“Hi there, George!” he shouted, “I've found 'em! 
They're right here by th' big cypress ” 

The Tory's shouts were abruptly terminated 
when Colonel Bludworth and his two companions 
threw themselves upon him and instantly checked 
his cries. 


168 


THE SURPRISE OF JOHN CASLER 


“Cut a gag!” ordered the colonel, addressing 
Jim Paget. “I’ll hold him till yo’re ready. But 
be smart ’bout it, son. We ’ll have th’ doggone 
traitors on us right soon now.” 

The bound boy obediently hastened to cut a 
plug of wood to which he attached a narrow strip 
of leather. As soon as he completed his task he 
advanced to the colonel, who was seated astride 
the prostrate Tory with his hands ready to seize 
his throat and prevent another outcry. 

Despite the struggles of the desperate victim, 
the gag was speedily inserted into his open mouth 
and the leather strings were tied fast behind his 
head. His hands also and his feet were securely 
bound and John Casler lay before the colonel a 
helpless man. His eyes betrayed his rage as he 
glowered at his captors, but he was helpless now 
to do them harm. 

“What’ll we do with him?” asked Jim Paget 
breathlessly. “He may have been heard an’ 
some o’ th’ Tories may be here any minute.” 

“Yo’re c’rect once more, son,” replied the 
colonel. 

“We can’t take him up th’ tree.” 

“No more we can’t.” 

“Let’s put him behind those bushes,” sug- 
gested Jim Paget, pointing as he spoke to a near- 
by clump of blackberry bushes. 

Colonel Bludworth hesitated a moment in spite 
of the evident need of haste. “Th’ flies an’ mos- 
quitoes ’ll get after him, but I dunno but that’s, 
169 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


as bad as bavin’ the Tories get yo\ Take hold o’ 
his feet and we ’ll swing him in, ’ ’ he directed. 

The helpless Tory was lifted and carried to the 
spot that Jim Paget had suggested. John Casler 
was terrified now as well as angry, for he was 
fully aware of the fate that awaited him. Was 
he to be abandoned? Did his enemies plan to 
leave him speechless and helpless with the sole 
possibility of relief and release to come from his 
friends, who, unaware of what had befallen him, 
could only free him if they chanced to discover 
his predicament? 

“ Leave him an’ come with me,” ordered the 
colonel, as he hastily turned to the entrance to the 
tunnel. 

His companions, after glancing hastily about 
them, at once followed and in a brief time all were 
once more standing on the platform, high in the 
interior of the great cypress. Every one now 
was aware of the peril confronting them. The 
call which John Casler had sent forth was plain 
evidence that his friends were not far away and 
that he was confident of their aid. Had they 
heard him? The question was vital. Even if 
they did not discover the Tory, there was slight 
question that they would see the many footprints 
in the mud about the entrance, and the discovery 
would instantly provide a fresh incentive for re- 
newed efforts to locate the men who had fired the 
mysterious rifle and it would not be long before 
they naturally would find the hiding place. Then 
170 


THE SURPRISE OF JOHN CASLER 


fire and smoke would aid them and the plight of 
Colonel Bludworth and his companions would be 
desperate. 

Besides, Tim had not yet returned to the cy- 
press. His absence provided an additional anx- 
iety. It now was evident that the Tories were 
near the hiding place and the lad’s difficulty in 
regaining the refuge was increasing with every 
passing moment. 

At the colonel’s suggestion the boys and Sim 
Miller took their positions at the portholes and 
peered out, eager to see if Tim was near or any 
of the Tories had heard John Casler’s frantic 
call for help. 

The moments dragged on and not a sign of the 
presence of their enemies did they discover. The 
sun sank lower in the western sky; night would 
soon be approaching. The waste of swamp land 
was still unbroken by the sight of any creeping 
Tories. 

“ Beats all,” muttered Colonel Bludworth. 
“I’m beginnin’ toe s’pect th’ doggone traitors 
have got Tim. Th’ lad would have been back 
afore this if somethin’ hadn’t happened toe him.” 

“Yo’ can’t tell,” suggested Jim Paget. “Tim 
may be er watchin’ th’ Tories. He doesn’t give 
up th’ first time tryin’.” 

“Yo’re c’rect, son,” answered the colonel, visi- 
bly relieved by the suggestion of the bound boy. 
“ ’Pears like that boy never did know how toe 
quit. I rec’lect th’ time when I walloped him fo’ 
171 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

not takin’ a gun back toe th’ shop an’ when I got 
through he wasn’t a foot nearer th’ shop than he 
was when I began. That was th’ last time I ever 
tried toe force him toe do anything when his mind 
was set agin it.” 

“ Tim’s all right,” said Jim Paget loyally. 
‘ 1 He’s stubborn’s a mule, but he doesn’t get set 
very often less it’s ’bout somethin’ worth while.” 

‘ ‘Tim’s a good lad,” acknowledged the colonel, 
“an’ it may be just as yo’ say. He may have got 
sight o’ some Tory an’ is er followin’ him. If 
he is he’ll hang on worse ’n any houn’ dog yo’ 
ever saw. ’ ’ 

“What ’bout John Casler?” ventured Jim 
Paget. 

“Well, what ’bout him?” demanded the colonel 
sharply, as he glanced at his companion. 

“Seems toe me we sorta ought toe see what 
he’s a-doin’.” 

“He isn’t doin’ much. We fixed him so ’t he’d 
be harmless for a spell anyway.” 

“That may be so,” acknowledged Jim Paget, 
“but don’t yo’ all think we’d better go down an’ 
find out how he’s a-farin’? Th’ flies an’ mosqui- 
toes may have been a-gettin’ in their licks an’ if 
the’ have, he can’t be right happy in his mind.” 

“I’m not a-plannin’ toe make him happy.” 

“I know that but yo’ don’t want toe torture him 
same’s yo’ would a Cherokee.” 

Colonel Bludworth was silent a moment and 
then said, “I dunno but yo’re right, son. Maybe 
172 


THE SURPRISE OF JOHN CASLER 


we ought toe take a look at him just toe make cer- 
tain he hasn’t crawled away from those berry 
bushes where we hid him. Who’ll go see?” 

“I will,” spoke up Sim Miller. “I don’t ’pear 
toe be much use here an ’ if yo ’ all will let me down 
I’ll have a look at th’ Tory. Maybe I can help 
some that way.” 

The cobbler’s suggestion was promptly ac- 
cepted and in a brief time they lowered him to the 
ground. No one had great confidence in Sim Mil- 
ler’s resources, but, as he had said, his presence 
on the platform did not add to the strength of the 
defense and as he as well as another could ascer- 
tain the condition of the prisoner all were agreed 
in permitting him to make the attempt. 

“Look out he doesn’t get away from yo’,” 
warned Colonel Bludworth as Sim Miller made 
ready for his descent. “He’ll probably try toe 
play some trick on yo’.” 

“I’ll be careful,” responded Sim Miller as he 
adjusted the rope and began his descent. 

At that moment an exclamation from Lige drew 
the attention of the colonel and the bound boy; 
Sim Miller’s drop was swift as they turned to heed 
the young negro. 

Unmindful of the cobbler’s fate, both sprang to 
the side of Lige and in obedience to his suggestion 
peered down at the swamp before them. 

The cause of Lige’s excitement was instantly 
manifest. Not far away they saw Tim running 
at his utmost speed. Behind him in swift pursuit 
173 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

were two men who were striving to overtake the 
fleeing lad. One of them was not more than five 
yards behind Tim while his comrade was at an 
equal distance in the rear. Apparently neither of 
the pursuers was armed and Tim also was with- 
out his rifle. What the cause of his condition 
might be was not evident. 

Twice the colonel raised his rifle to his shoulder, 
but the swift pace of the running men, in addition 
to the peril of hitting his boy, caused him to aban- 
don the attempt. 

“Look!” exclaimed Jim Paget in a low voice. 
“Tim isn’t makin’ fo’ th’ old cypress. He’s 
headed straight fo’ th’ creek. What do’ yo’ all 
make o’ that?” 

“He’s tryin’ toe lead ’em away from us,” said 
the colonel. “Doggone it! I reckon I’d better 
fire so’t he can have half a chance.” 

Colonel Bludworth, however, was still fearful, 
and while he hesitated pursuer and pursued dis- 
appeared among the trees that grew more thickly 
along the shores of the muddy stream. 

At that moment a signal came from below so 
urgent and insistent that Lige and Jim Paget 
quickly responded. By their united efforts they 
swiftly drew Sim Miller to the platform. 

As the cobbler fell well-nigh exhausted upon 
the platform Colonel Bludworth said eagerly, 
“How did yo’ find yore prisoner, Sim Miller?” 

“He wasn’t there. He’s got away or somebody 
took him,” breathlessly replied the cobbler. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE FLIGHT 

F OR a moment Colonel Bludworth and the two 
boys stared blankly at Sim Miller. His 
words were startling and almost incredible. They 
were positive that they had left the Tory so se- 
curely bound that it was impossible for him to 
free himself. If he was gone the only probable 
inference was that his friends had discovered and 
released him. And yet it was equally unlikely that 
they could have found the place in which John 
Casler had been placed by his captors without 
being seen by some of the watchers in the treetop. 
The report of the cobbler was as difficult of ex- 
planation as it was of belief. 

“Are yo’ shore, Sim Miller ?” inquired the colo- 
nel at last, “that yo’ all found th’ right spot?” 

“ Yas, suh. I went straight toe th’ berry bushes 
an’ he wasn’t there.” 

“Did yo’ see any signs o’ his friends havin’ 
been there?” 

“Th’ ground was all mashed up an’ I couldn’t 
tell which was th’ new tracks. Maybe the’ had 
come an’ carried him off, but th’ wasn’t anything 
toe show what the’d done.” 

175 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Any o’ th’ straps or strings lyin’ ’round on 
th’ ground?” 

“Not a thing.” 

“Beats all,” said Colonel Bludworth thought- 
fully. “Keep a sharp lookout, hoys,” he added, 
turning to his companions. “I’m goin’ down toe 
have a look at th’ spot myself.” 

At his bidding the colonel was speedily lowered 
to the ground and then the two boys at once re- 
sumed their places at the portholes, Sim Miller 
also joining in the task. 

In the approaching twilight many of the bushes 
and trees assumed fantastic shapes and several 
times Jim Paget mistook a waving branch for the 
figure of a moving man. He was deeply concerned 
over the missing Tim, who to the bound boy had 
been like a brother. That Tim now might be in 
the hands of the angry Tories, who doubtless were 
enraged over the shots of Old Bess, was disheart- 
ening. He looked eagerly in every direction, hop- 
ing to discover his friend approaching the cypress. 
The fact that when last seen he had been madly 
fleeing from two pursuing Tories was alarming, 
for if Tim had evaded the men doubtless long be- 
fore this time he would have made his way back 
through the swamp. 

Jim Paget’s meditations were interrupted by a 
signal from below. In response to it he joined 
in hauling the colonel up to the platform. 

“Seen anything or anybody?” instantly de- 
manded Colonel Bludworth. 

176 


THE FLIGHT 


‘ ‘ Nothin ’,” answered Jim Paget. 

“No sign o’ Tim?” 

The bound boy shook his head. “I’m afraid 
they got him,” he said simply. 

“Tim ’ll take care o’ himself,” declared the 
colonel. 

Whether he believed his statement or was talk- 
ing to keep up his courage was not clear to the 
troubled boy. “Did yo’ find out anything more 
’bout John Casler?” he inquired. 

“Not a thing. It’s just as Sim Miller said. 
John Casler ’s gone, body and breeches. It looks 
like the ground had opened an ’ swallowed him or 
he had gone up on wings an’ flew away.” 

“What are we toe do next?” 

“That’s what we’ve got toe d’eide. What do 
yo’ all think’s the best thing toe do?” 

“I think we ought toe get out o’ here right 
soon.” 

“How’ll we all go? Shall we try toe get out 
together or shall we go one by one?” 

“Th’ main thing is toe get out. Th’ Tones’ll 
be back here to-night shore’s yo’re born. John 
Casler ’ll be ready fo’ ’most anything, he’ll be so 
toad, an’ he’ll bring a gang with him. Th’ isn’t 
anything left fo’ us but toe get out an’ be quick 
’bout it, too!” 

“What about Tim?” 

“Yo’ say he’ll look after himself. I’m not’s 
shore’s yo’ be ’bout that. I don’t want toe leave 
177 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

him in trouble. I’m mighty shore he wouldn’t do 
that if things were turned ’round.” 

“ ’Course he wouldn’t,” assented the colonel. 
“Now I’ve thought this out an’ got a plan.” 

“What is it?” asked the bound boy eagerly. 

“We’ll wait till it’s dark or leastwise darker ’n 
it is now an’ leave the old cypress one by one. 
Leastwise that’s what yo’ all’ll do, for I’m plan- 
nin’ toe look ’round a bit for Tim, before I leave 
Nigger Head Point.” 

“I’ll go with yo’.” 

“That’s all right,” said the colonel, plainly 
moved by the bound boy’s offer. “I’ve got other 
things for yo’ all toe do though, an’ I reckon yo’ll 
be right busy with ’em, too.” 

“But I want toe help Tim. I’m not j^oin’ toe 
leave him here for John Casler an’ th’ rest o’ 
th’ ” 

“Yo’ll have er plenty toe look after,” inter- 
rupted the colonel. “Now I’m plannin’ toe let 
Sim Miller work his way up th’ shore an’ trust 
toe luck toe find some way toe cross th’ river. 
Think yo’ all can do it?” he inquired of the cob- 
bler. 

“Yas, suh,” responded Sim Miller promptly. 

“So far so good. Then Lige an’ Jim Paget, 
they’ll have toe get back toe th’ canoe an’ put out 
in th’ catboat in th’ night. It may be yore best 
plan toe pole her for a mile or two an’ keep close in 
shore for th’ doggone Tories may be er watchin’ 
out right smart from now on.” 

178 


THE FLIGHT 

“Yo’ want us toe go together ?” asked Jim 
Paget. 

“No, suh, I don’t want yo’ toe go together. I 
want yo ’ should go sep ’rate. ’ ’ 

“Suppose one gets toe th’ canoe an’ th’ other 
doesn’t?” 

“Then th’ one that gets there first is toe wait 
’bout half an hour for th’ other one an’ if he 
doesn’t show up in that time then he’d better start 
on alone.” 

“How shall we carry all this stuff!” As he 
spoke Jim Paget pointed to the tools and guns, 
the baskets and other equipment on the platform. 

“Don’t carry it, don’t try toe take it.” 

“Leave it all here?” 

“That’s it exac’ly.” 

“The Tories may get it.” 

“Can’t help that. * Th’ truth is I don’t b’lieve 
th’ doggone Tories know anything ’bout what 
we’ve got up in this old cypress.” 

“John Casler does.” 

“I reckon not. ’Course he s’pects there’s 
somethin’ goin’ on ’round these parts, but he 
hasn’t spied th’ portholes an’ I don’t b’lieve any 
o’ th’ others has either.” 

“Maybe not,” said Jim Paget dubiously. 

“No ‘ maybe’ ’bout it. The’ know there’s 
somethin’ wrong hereabouts, but the’ don’t know 
where it is an’ the’ don’t know what it is.” 

“It won’t take very long for them toe find out 

179 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


when the’ come here again. An’ the ’ll come 
just’s shore’s yo’re born.” 

4 1 That won’t be till we are all out o’ these 
parts. An’ we’re goin’ toe leave right soon.” 

“When!” 

“Just’s soon’s it’s a bit darker. Now listen, 
son. We’ll let Sim Miller go first. He’s goin’ 
toe strike out down ’long th’ shore an’ find some 
way toe cross th’ river down b’low. Then Lige 
is goin’ an’ he’ll put straight fo’ th’ canoe. 
Think yo’ all can find th’ place where she’s hid?” 
he inquired of the black boy. 

“Yas, suh,” assented Lige. 

“It’ll be dark, yo’ understand.” 

“Ah can fin’ it.” 

“See that yo’ do. After Lige has been gone 
’bout five minutes then yo’ all are toe start, Jim 
Paget. Every one is toe take his gun an’ some 
powder an’ bullets an’ tha’s all he’s toe take. 
Th’ great thing now is toe get back toe th’ big 
house an’ do our best toe see toe it that th’ dog- 
gone Tories don’t set th’ place on fire. That’ll 
be ’nough toe keep us busy for a spell.” 

“What ’bout yo’ all?” asked Jim Paget. 
“When do yo’ plan toe leave th’ cypress?” 

“I’ll be th’ last toe go. I’ll wait here till yo’ 
all have left an’ then I’ll set out. I want toe see 
that th’ place is shut tight an’ maybe I’ll try toe 
cover up th’ hole there where th’ tunnel begins. 
Maybe I shan’t have any time for such doin’s, 
but if T do I’m plannin’ toe keep th’ doggone 
180 


THE FLIGHT 


Tories away from Old Bess just ’s long as I can.” 

“Goin’ toe leave Old Bess here!” 

“I dunno. She’s a mighty big load toe lug 
through th’ swamp when we’re in a hurry. Yo’ 
all’ll need lighter guns, an’ ones yo’ can handle 
right smart.” 

“When do we start!” inquired Jim Paget, im- 
patient to make the attempt now that the colonel 
had outlined the plan. 

* 6 We ’ll wait till it ’s darker. I ’ll be lookin ’ after 
things here but yo’ all better keep up yore look- 
out. Yo’ never can tell what may turn up an’ we 
all must be ready for it whenever it comes.” 

The two boys and Sim Miller obediently turned 
again to the portholes and resumed their tasks. 
In the dim light the great swamp and the river 
beyond seemed almost to be unreal. The occa- 
sional cry of a nightbird or the whirring sound 
of a bat or large insect was heard but the silence 
that rested upon the region was so real that to 
the waiting, watching boys it seemed almost to be 
alive. 

Not a word had come from Tim Bludworth. 
The momentary sight of him as he was fleeing 
before the Tories had been abrupt and final. 
Whether he had been taken or had succeeded in 
eluding his pursuers was not known. And Jim 
Paget was deeply troubled over the fate of his 
missing friend. 

An hour afterward Colonel Bludworth said, 
“I reckon we might’s well be startin’. It’s pretty 
181 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


nigh’s dark as it ever will be an’ we don’t want 
toe lose any more time ’n we’re obliged to.” 

As his companions instantly responded, the 
colonel said, “Sim Miller is toe go first. We’ll 
give him a few minutes toe get away an’ then 
Lige will start. After a bit Jim Paget will leave. 
Yo’ all know just what yo’re toe do. If any o’ 
yo’ gets sight o’ th’ Tories before yo’ get a hun- 
dred feet away from th’ old cypress put straight 
back here, give th’ signal an’ we’ll haul yo’ up 
again. I don’t b’lieve yo’ all’ll find any o’ ’em 
right ’round here, however, for I don’t b’lieve 
anybody has s’picioned what we’ve got up here 
anyway. Now, Sim Miller, are yo’ ready?” 

The little cobbler was trembling, but he did his 
utmost to control himself as he said, “Yas, suh.” 

“Then we’ll let yo’ down.” 

In silence the rope was adjusted and then Sim 
Miller was lowered. In a brief time Jim Paget, 
who was watching at the eastern porthole, re- 
ported that he had seen him crawling from the exit 
and speedily disappear among the bushes. 

“I reckon Sim Miller’ll have th’ hardest time 
of all,” said Colonel Bludworth, thoughtfully. 
“He may make it all right but he’ll see a good 
many times when he’ll wish he was back with us.” 

“Why d’ yo’ let him go alone?” inquired Jim 
Paget. 

“Th’ wasn’t any other way. We couldn’t take 
him with us an’ we haven’t any time toe waste 
lookin’ him up if he was toe get lost. We’ll have 
182 


THE FLIGHT 


all we want, I reckon, lookin’ out for Tim. Be- 
sides, if Sim Miller has any head he must use it, 
an’ if he does, I reckon he’ll find some way toe get 
across th’ river.’ ’ 

6 4 Won’t he be likely toe run into trouble if he 
does get back toe Wilmington?” 

“Ev’rybody’s likely toe find trouble these 
days. I reckon it’s time for Lige toe start now. 
We’ve given Sim Miller a good lead.” 

In response to the summons Lige promptly 
stepped forward, and after the colonel once more 
had explained to him that he was to go to the 
place where they had concealed the canoe and 
that if Jim Paget did not join him within an hour 
he was to move down to the catboat and there 
wait until morning, when, if none of the party ap- 
peared, he was to sail back up the river and report 
at the plantation, he was lowered as the cobbler 
had been before him. 

Soon it was the turn of Jim Paget to de- 
scend. “Yo’ know what toe do,” said the colonel. 
“If yo’ can do it I’ll be mighty glad toe have you 
keep a lookout for Tim. I shore don’t want any- 
thing toe happen toe that boy.” 

“Of course I shall watch out fo’ him,” answered 
the bound boy. “I reckon Tim ’ll need his 
friends.” 

“He shore will.” 

“I’ll do my best.” 

“I don’t want yo’ should go out o’ yore way. 
Th’ first thing is toe get away from Nigger Head 
183 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

Point, an’ if yo’ all get toe th’ canoe with Lige, 
I want yo’ should start right soon.” 

‘ ‘ I’ll do it. Now, colonel, d’ yo’ think yo’ can 
manage this rope all done? If yo’ don’t, I’ll stay 
by till ” 

“Yo’ all go straight ahead, Jim Paget,” broke 
in Colonel Bludworth. “I reckon I’ll be there at 
th’ canoe before you’ll be.” 

“I hope yo’ will!” said the bound boy fervently, 
as he tested the rope and then, at the bidding of 
his friend, stepped from the platform and speedily 
was lowered to the ground. 

Leaving the rope as the colonel had directed, 
Jim Paget at once crawled into the tunnel and 
soon afterward was standing on the ground near 
the exit. As he arose, the heavy damp smell of 
the swamp seemed oppressive. Flecks of mist 
were between him and the river. The great 
cypress as he glanced back at it loomed larger than 
ever before. It was like some giant sentinel, 
solitary, silent and fearless. 

Jim Paget, however, was speedily recalled to 
the difficulties of his own task. He looked keenly 
about him and then stepped cautiously forward 
to a hummock in the path. Again he stopped and 
looked anxiously all about him. Not a sound 
broke in upon the silence of the night. The dark- 
ness seemed to be thick and dense. Morning 
might be at hand, but there was nothing to indi- 
cate its approach. 

Once more the bound boy moved forward. For 
184 


THE FLIGHT 


a moment it seemed to him that he saw dark hands 
extended to grasp him. He was fearful that a 
decaying stump just before him concealed the 
crouching form of a Tory. He darted past and 
was greatly relieved when he safely passed beyond 
the spot. 

A nervous tremor seized upon him. He wanted 
to shout, to call upon the colonel, who doubtless 
still was in the tree, to come to his aid. Only by 
exerting all his strength of will was he able to 
control himself, and then in his eagerness to he 
out of the region he began to run, leaping from 
hummock to hummock in his flight. He dared not 
look behind him to see if he was pursued. What 
was ahead was uncertain, but at least he would 
see any men that might rise before him. 

After he had advanced a considerable distance 
a measure of self-control returned to him. His 
eyes now were accustomed to the dim light and 
he no longer was fearful of every fallen tree or 
clump of bushes as being the hiding place of his 
foes. He was still alert and watchful, but the 
terror that had been upon him was almost gone. 

At last he stopped to try to get his bearings. 
From the place where he was standing he saw 
the waters of the Cape Fear River not far away. 
The light was sufficient to enable him to see the 
occasional shimmering and a feeling of fresh se- 
curity stole over him. If he could succeed in 
getting the catboat out upon the river he was 
hopeful that he might pole the little craft up- 
185 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

stream, keeping close to the shore and protected 
by the bushes that grew along the banks. 

The suggestion provided a fresh inspiration 
and resolutely he resumed his flight. The ground 
over which he was moving was firmer now and 
there was less danger of slipping or falling into 
the deep mud on either side of the pathway he was 
following. As he moved forward the character 
of the ground changed still more. It was be- 
coming more firm. There were frequent places 
too where there were stretches of solid earth on 
which bushes or young trees were firmly growing. 

Just before him was such a growth on a slight 
elevation that covered at least a hundred and fifty 
square feet. For some reason which he could not 
explain Jim Paget abruptly turned from his path- 
way to the higher ground. He did not stop to 
consider the motive which led him on, perhaps 
the sole reason for the change being the desire 
to gain the slight eminence and there obtain a 
wider vision of the surrounding region. 

Thus far he had not been molested nor had he 
seen anything that indicated a near-by peril. The 
bound boy, although he now had recovered his self- 
control, was fully aware of the dangers that might 
be lurking between him and the place where he 
had hidden the canoe, and he was eager to discover 
if possible what these were. The slightly elevated 
land provided a point of observation and he de- 
cided at once to take advantage of it. 

186 


THE FLIGHT 


He moved forward cautiously, crouching and 
holding his rifle in his right hand. He parted the 
bushes and entered. 

For a moment he had a vision of the huge snake 
he had killed on the day when Tim had overheard 
the plottings of the Tories. Perhaps now he 
might step upon a nest of the reptiles. The 
thought was not reassuring but Jim Paget reso- 
lutely advanced and then stopped abruptly as he 
discovered that the interior of the place was bare 
of trees and bushes. Almost as if the ground had 
been cleared by men, it seemed to suggest a cir- 
cular meeting place. 

In a moment, however, the bound boy stopped 
motionless as he gazed in alarm at a man that was 
standing with his back turned toward him, only a 
few yards away* He saw that he was armed and 
was standing, leaning upon his gun whose butt 
was resting upon the ground. 

Jim Paget’s heart was beating violently as he 
waited to discover whether or not the man was 
aware of his approach. He had not avoided all 
noise as he had thrust aside the branches that im- 
peded his approach and the guard might easily 
have heard him. A brief period of intense silence 
convinced Jim Paget that his coming was not 
known, and he waited breathlessly to ascertain 
what the purpose of the man in guarding the spot 
might be. To all appearances, the armed guard 
was listless and not fearful of any immediate 
187 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


danger. Jim Paget heard him yawn several times 
and his attitude certainly was not that of one 
who was interested in his task. 

Suddenly the man spoke. Startled by the unex- 
pected sound, the hound boy’s first fear was that 
his presence now was known. He experienced a 
sense of relief when it became evident that the 
guard was addressing some one in front of him. 

Leaning forward, Jim Paget for a brief time 
was unable to perceive any other person. In a 
brief time, however, he made out the body of a man 
lying on the ground a few feet beyond the guard. 
Why he should be there and in such a position 
was not manifest. 

Jim Paget, however, was quickly devoting his 
attention to the guard. Yawning and extending 
his arms, the man said, “I reckon yo’ all have got 
th ? best o’ it. All yo’ have toe do is toe lie thar 
an’ sleep / 9 

“If yo’ll untie these ropes an’ let me go,” an- 
swered the prostrate man, “Til give yo 9 my place 
an’ yo’ can go toe sleep yoreself.” 

Jim Paget, startled by the voice, ignored the 
good-natured laugh of the guard. It was Tim 
Bludworth that had spoken and evidently he was 
bound and a helpless prisoner, over whom the 
man before him was standing guard. 


CHAPTER XVI 
JIM paget’s discovery 

jMOST overwhelmed by his discovery, Jim 



XI Paget’s first impulse was to dart forward, 
and, aiming his rifle at the guard, demand the re- 
lease of his friend. He was quickly aware, how- 
ever, that such a course of action might only 
arouse other guards that might be near, with the 
result that he, too, would be a prisoner, bound and 
helpless as was Tim. 

A moment later he cautiously withdrew from 
the place where he was standing, and, carefully 
noting the spot so that he might quickly find it 
again, he stole back to the indistinct pathway he 
had been following. 

His chief purpose now was to intercept Colonel 
Bludworth, who doubtless had started by this time 
from the cypress tree. With the presence and aid 
of the colonel he was confident that some way of 
releasing Tim would be found. Perhaps, too, Jim 
Paget was thinking that his own courage would 
be greatly strengthened if the doughty warrior 
were present to command. 

As he peered along the muddy way he was not 
able to see any moving creature in the great 
swamp. It seemed to the excited boy that morn- 
ing was already at hand, and with the coming of 


189 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


daylight doubtless the guard would be changed 
or Tim might be taken to the headquarters of the 
Tories. In the latter event, Jim Paget was posi- 
tive he could foretell the fate of his friend. 

The thought increased the desperation of the 
excited boy. Once more he looked eagerly all 
about him, but nowhere did he see the colonel. 
He was tempted to return and do his utmost alone 
to rescue his friend. Reserving that alternative 
to the last, he began to run back over the rough 
way, planning to summon Colonel Bludworth if 
the latter had not as yet departed from the tree. 

In his eagerness Jim Paget was leaping from 
one dry spot to the next. Once his foot slipped 
and he fell face downward into the mud, but 
desperately regaining his upright position he re- 
sumed his flight, unmindful alike of the filth that 
covered him and of his now useless weapon, for 
he still had retained his grasp of his rifle in his 
fall and the gun was now wet. On and on he ran 
until at last the dim outlines of the giant tree 
loomed before him in the distance. 

At that moment, however, he had a vision of an 
indistinct figure of a man approaching in front of 
him. Instantly concluding that Colonel Blud- 
worth was coming he called, “Is that you, colo- 
nel?” 

There was a brief silence as the man before him 
abruptly halted. “Who is calling ?” he demanded 
in a low voice. 

“Jim Paget ,’ ’ answered the bound boy. 

190 


JIM PAGET’S DISCOVERY 


“What yo’ all want?” 

“I want yo’ yo’self an’ I want yo’ mighty 
quick an’ I want yo’ mighty bad.” 

“What’s wrong?” 

It was indeed Colonel Bludworth approaching 
and now he recognized the voice of Jim Paget. 

“I’ve found Tim.” 

“Where is he?” 

4 4 Back yonder. He ’s a prisoner. He ’s all tied 
up and lyin’ on th’ ground, an’ there’s a guard 
standin’ over him.” 

“How many guards?” 

“I didn’t see but one.” 

4 4 Can yo’ show me th’ place?” 

“I reckon I can,” said Jim Paget eagerly. 
“Yo’ just follow me an’ I’ll take yo’ there in no 
time ’tall.” 

4 4 How far is it from here?” 

44 ’Bout five minutes. ” 

4 4 Then hold yore horses a bit. Let’s get this 
straightened out so we’ll know what we’re a- 
doin’ when we begin. Now tell me all ’bout it.” 

4 4 I’ll tell yo’,” assented Jim Paget. 4 4 But 
sunup’ll be here right soon an’ we haven’t much 
time toe waste.” 

4 4 Don’t waste any,” said Colonel Bludworth 
sternly. 4 4 Just tell me ’bout it an ’ stop right there 
with that.” 

Thus bidden, Jim Paget related the experience 
that led to his discovery of the place where Tim 
was bound and hidden. 

191 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Is yore rifle workin’ good!” asked the colonel 
hastily, when he had heard all. 

“I reckon it isn’t,” answered the boy ruefully. 
“Y’ see I fell intoe the mud back yonder ” 

“Look out that yo’ don’t fall again. We won’t 
stop now for anything. Yo’ may not have much 
call for a gun, that is, if yo’re dead shore there’s 
only one man a-guardin’ Tim.” 

“That’s all I saw.” 

“One is ’nough. Come on an’ don’t slip again.” 

Instantly Jim Paget turned and led the way 
with the colonel close behind him. 

Cautiously they advanced until Jim Paget 
raised his hand as a signal that they were to halt. 
He was not positive in the dim light that he had 
arrived at the place where they must turn to their 
right in order to gain the sheltered spot where he 
had found his friend, a prisoner, under guard. 

“This th’ place!” whispered Colonel Blud- 
worth. 

“Wait for me toe look around a bit. I think 
’tis but I’m not dead shore,” whispered the bound 
boy in reply. “Stay here an’ I’ll go ahead an’ 
find out.” 

Jim Paget carefully held back the brush and 
crept into the thicker growth at the right of the 
rough pathway they had been following. He had 
a feeling of confidence now that had been lacking 
in his former effort. The peril of discovery still 
was present, however, and he advanced slowly, 
using extreme caution as he proceeded. 

192 


JIM PAGET’S DISCOVERY 

In a brief time be recognized certain familiar 
objects he had noted and was positive that he was 
correct in his statement that he had come to the 
place where he had heard the voice of Tim’s 
guard. 

Speedily retracing his way, he soon rejoined 
the colonel and reported. “Yas, suh,” he said 
confidently, “this is th’ place. We turn in here 
an’ go ’bout seventy-five feet ” 

“Yo’ all stay right here,” broke in the colo- 
nel. 

“What yo’ all goin’ toe do?” 

“I’m a goin’ toe do a bit o’ lookin’ for myself. 
I’ll be back right soon.” 

The colonel, without another word, advanced 
into the thicket and disappeared from sight. Left 
to himself, Jim Paget first tried to assure himself 
that no one was watching him. The adjacent trees 
were low and too small to provide shelter for any 
lurking Tories. The brush was heavy but it was 
not dense and therefore did not offer a place of 
concealment. Unless some one should come di- 
rectly along the pathway he would not be likely 
to observe the silent and motionless boy. 

He was aware that his rifle was useless, which 
fact left him defenseless. The colonel, however, 
was not far away and the young watcher was not 
without confidence. He turned frequently to the 
spot where the colonel had disappeared, although 
he did not believe he would come back soon. Nat- 
urally he would be deeply interested in what he 
193 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


discovered and there even was a possibility that 
single-handed he would attempt to free his son. 
Indeed, the fact that Jim Paget did not know 
what was in the mind of the colonel increased his 
anxiety. The man was somewhat impulsive in 
spite of his indifferent manner and at any moment 
might do the most unexpected things. 

At that moment the bound boy was startled as 
he saw a man emerging from the place where the 
colonel had disappeared only a few minutes be- 
fore. Quickly he recognized the man as the colo- 
nel himself and he hastily stepped forward to 
meet him. 

“Did yo’ find him?” he whispered. 

“I did.” 

1 i Shall we go in an ’ get him ? ’ ’ 

“There’s three men a-guardin’ him now. I 
thought yo’ said there was only one.” 

“I didn’t see but one. Yo’ shore there’s 
three?” 

“I saw ’em an’ I heard ’em talkin’ too.” 

“Did yo’ see Tim?” 

“Yas, suh.” 

“What shall we do if there’s three? My guii 
is no good ” 

“I don’t want yore gun. Iwantyo’.” 

“Y’ve got me.” 

“I reckon I have.” 

“What we goin’ toe do?” the lad again whis- 
pered. 

“Goin’ toe set Tim free.” 

194 


JIM PAGET ’S DISCOVERY 

“But yep say there’s three men a-guardin’ 
him. ’ 9 

“They be.” 

“We can’t fight three. My rifle’s wet, yo’ un- 
derstand. 9 9 

“I know all ’bout that. We’re just going toe 
get Tim, though. I must say I’d like toe lay my 
hands again on that doggone traitor, John Cas- 
ler. I reckon he’d know this time ” 

“Is John Casler one o’ th’ guards!” broke in 
Jim Paget. 

“He is.” 

“Armed?” 

“I reckon so.” 

“Then I don’t see how we all can ” 

“Now listen, son,” interrupted the colonel. 
“I’ve got a plan. I’m a-goin’ toe try a trick on 
th’ traitors. They’re in there all unsuspectin’. 
I want yo’ toe come with me an’ get behind th’ 
bushes. I want yo’ should stick yore gun barrel 
through th’ bushes an’ I reckon I’ll put two or 
three dead sticks alongside yore gun at th’ proper 
intervals. Yo’ take this pistol an’ if yo’ have toe, 
use it. I’ll go ahead an’ call on th’ doggone 
traitors toe throw up their hands. Maybe I’ll fire 
an’ maybe yo’ will too. Just’s likely ’s not yo’ 
may have toe yell yore loudest an’ I’ll help too, 
but we won’t do a thing more’n we have toe. If 
the’ s ’render all right, then I’ll step up — or 
maybe I’ll call on yo’ toe do that part — an’ re- 
lieve ’em all o’ their guns an’ other weapons.” 

195 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

44 S ’pose the’ don’t give up?” suggested Jim 
Paget. 

4 4 But the’ will. I haven’t had John Casler for 
a neighbor for nigh onto fifteen years for nothin \ 
I know th’ breed. An’ I know yo’, Jim Paget, an’ 
I know, too, that I can depend on yo’. We’ve 
just got toe get Tim out o’ their hands. We just 
got to. I’m not givfn’ yo’ many directions, I 
don’t need toe, for I know yo’ all have got some 
brains inside o’ yore topknot. Just use ’em.. 
Follow any lead I give, but don’t do anything I 
don’t start. We got toe work together an’ we got 
toe keep together. Now then if yo’re ready we’d 
better start.” 

4 4 I’m ready,” responded the bound boy quietly. 

A faint trace of the coming dawn now ap- 
peared in the eastern sky. An occasional sound 
of twittering birds also indicated that day was at 
hand. The shadows of the trees were becoming 
more clearly defined and various other evidences 
showed plainly the necessity of haste by the 
colonel and his young companion. 

Apparently aware of the danger of delay, both 
pushed forward, keeping in close touch, Jim 
Paget moving almost like a machine as his feet 
were placed in the footsteps of his predecessor 
as soon as the colonel stepped ahead. In a brief 
time they arrived at the border of the circular 
place within which the bound boy had discovered 
Tim to be a prisoner. 

Jim Paget’s excitement increased. The fact 
196 


JIM PAGET’S DISCOVERY 

that three men instead of the one he had seen 
guarding the prisoner were now within the circle 
and that without doubt all three were armed, as 
well as the fact that John Casler was one of the 
trio, increased his anxiety. And yet somehow he 
was not afraid, at least the fear which held him 
in his former approach was now gone. Doubtless 
the presence of Colonel Bludworth accounted in 
part for this condition. The colonel’s calmness 
and confidence did much to make his young com- 
rade less fearful. 

Without speaking, Colonel Bludworth now mo- 
tioned to Jim Paget to thrust the muzzle of his 
rifle through the shrubbery so that the barrel ex- 
tended a foot or more on the side toward the men. 
At the same time he thrust the dead branches, 
which had been stripped of their twigs, through 
the brush, so that each extended several inches 
beyond the leaves. A space of two feet was left 
between the limbs so that in the dim light they 
might easily be taken for the guns of a row of 
kneeling men behind the bushes. 

When this task had been accomplished, the 
colonel motioned to Jim Paget to draw his pistol 
and be prepared to fire it at any instant and then, 
apparently satisfied with what he and his com- 
panion had done, the colonel looked to the priming 
of his gun, glanced quickly all about him and then 
boldly leaped through an opening in the bushes. 
Instantly he brought his rifle to his shoulder, 
aimed it at the three men who were seated near by, 
197 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

and in a low voice called, 44 Hands up! Every 
man of yo’ hold up his hands! We J ve got yo’ all 
surrounded and yo’ all are our prisoners!” 

The startled men stared blankly at the intrud- 
er and then started to reach for their guns which 
they had placed together on the ground. 

4 4 Stop ! ’ ’ ordered the colonel. 4 4 1 told yo ’ I had 
yo’ surrounded. If one o’ yo’ moves I’ll have my 
men shoot. Yo’ hear me, don’t yo’, sergeant?” 

4 4 We shore do,” spoke up Jim Paget loudly. 

The unexpected response instantly alarmed the 
startled men. All three glanced in the direction 
from which the startling response had come. In 
the dim light the extended dead branches, thrust 
through the bushes, had the appearance of rifle 
barrels. Plainly they were surrounded. 

4 4 Put yore hands up higher,” ordered the 
colonel. 

The three men quickly obeyed. 

4 4 Now the one nearest me stand up.” 

The command was instantly complied with and 
the man indicated staggered to his feet. 

4 4 Stand there,” continued Colonel Blud worth, 
indicating that his prisoner was to step to one 
side. Satisfied with his compliance, he then or- 
dered the second man to arise and take a position 
about the distance of a yard from the first man. 
The third man was next commanded to follow the 
example of his two friends and hastily obeyed, 
taking a position near the one that had immedi- 
ately preceded him. 


198 


JIM PAGET ’S DISCOVERY 

“Now, don’t move!” said the colonel. “IVe 
got yo ’ covered, an' th’ first one that tries toe 
get away will be shot like he was a rabbit.” 
There was a moment of tense silence before the 
colonel called, 6 ‘ Sergeant ! ’ ’ 

“I'm here,” answered Jim Paget, from behind 
the bushes. 

“Leave yore men an' come in here.” 

“I’m cornin’.” Jim Paget stepped forward as 
he spoke and advanced to the side of the colonel. 
Even in the darkness he was positive that one of 
the trio standing with uplifted hands was John 
Casler and another was George Rippel. The third 
man was unknown to him. 

“Take their guns!” ordered the colonel. 

There was a slight stirring among the pris- 
oners, but as Jim Paget stopped and said, “Shall 
I shoot?” the threatened rebellion instantly was 
quelled. The bound boy picked up the three rifles 
and placed them on the ground behind the colonel. 

“So far so good. Now yo’ better go back to 
yore men and send Tom and Toby in here. No, 
yo’ stay. Yo’ll do as well as they. Stay right 
here where yo’ be. Now then,” he added, turning 
to the nearest of the prisoners, “step forward!” 

The man advanced, still holding his hands high 
above his head. 

“Tie his hands an’ his feet. Keep yore pistol 
ready. ’ ’ 

The prisoner hesitated. As Jim Paget boldly 
stepped forward, holding the coil of leather straps 
199 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


which the colonel had for some reason brought 
with him, the man sullenly gave in and the bound 
boy securely tied the prisoner’s hands behind his 
back and then fastened his feet securely. 

‘ ‘ Next gentleman will please step to the front!” 
commanded the colonel blandly. 

Again there was a brief hesitation but the pris- 
oner glanced apprehensively at the bushes behind 
which the supposed party was stationed and with- 
out a protest submitted to the binding of his hands 
and feet as his predecessor had done. 

When Jim Paget faced the third prisoner he 
found himself looking into the eyes of John Cas- 
ler. The latter also recognized the bound boy and 
even in the dim light his expression of rage was 
manifest. 1 ‘ It’s one of yore low-down tricks,” 
growled the Tory. Nevertheless he did not offer 
any resistance, although once Jim Paget was fear- 
ful that he was about to try to break away. If 
the impulse had risen in the prisoner’s mind, how- 
ever, it was quickly abandoned and John Casler 
was bound like his comrades. 

“That looks good,” said Colonel Bludworth as 
he lowered his rifle and looked at the men. “ Th ’ 
next thing is toe put these rascals on their backs. 
The ’ll be a bit more comfortable that way an’ I 
reckon we all’ll be a bit easier in our minds.” 

“You’ll pay for all this, Colonel Bludworth!” 
growled John Casler. 

“I’ve got my pay already, suh,” responded the 
colonel blandly. “I reckon I ought toe be satis- 
200 


JIM PAGET'S DISCOVERY 

fied when just Jim Paget an' I tied up three dog- 
gone Tories." 

“Haven't yo' any men behind th’ bushes?" de- 
manded John Casler in surprise. 

“Not one." 

“An' just yo' an' that bound boy o' yore's was 
all the' was here?" 

“I'm compelled toe say that yo're tellin' th' 
truth once in yore life. How does it feel, John 
Casler, toe say somethin' right down honest?" 

“Yo'll find out 'bout that later." 

The light now had become sufficiently strong 
to enable the men to discern one another. The 
three Tories were sitting erect upon the ground 
and the expression of chagrin on every face was 
clearly manifest. Only two had been in the force 
of their captors. The trick that had been played 
upon them and their own failure to perceive it 
until it was too late increased the rage of the 
prisoners. But they were helpless now, although 
Jim Paget stepped quickly forward and adjusted 
the straps that bound John Casler when he saw 
the latter had been straining to free his hands. 

“ 'Bout this time is when our prisoners are beg- 
gin' us toe search 'em," drawled Colonel Blud- 
worth. “I reckon we'd be right mean not toe 
'commodate 'em. If yo' all agree with me, Jim 
Paget, then I reckon we'd better begin right now." 

“Yo're robbers! Yo're nothin' but low-down 
highway robbers!" shouted John Casler. “Just 
untie my hands a minute an' I'll show yo'! I'll 
201 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


take one or both o’ yo’ if yo’ all just give me 
half a chance! I’m not afraid o’ both o’ yo’! 
’Twas a low-down lyin’ trick yo’ served on us. 
I’ll get even with yo’ if it takes me till th’ crack 
o’ doom!” The voice of the enraged Tory rose 
to a scream and his face was purple with rage. 

4 4 Careful, neighbor,” warned the colonel. 
4 4 Yore voice is gettin’ pitched a bit too high.” 

“I don’t care how high ’tis !” shouted the Tory. 
“I know all ’bout yore sneakin’ ways. My 
friends’ll soon be here an’ they’ll take a hand in 
this rumpus. Yo’ll get what yo’ all deserve, 
Colonel Bludworth, yo’ an’ that low-down bound 
boy o’ yores!” 

4 4 Too bad he won’t hear toe reason,” said the 
colonel calmly, as he turned to his companion. 
4 4 Better cut a plug,” he directed. 4 4 We ’ll have 
toe shut off this stream o’ eloquence.” 

4 4 Yo ’ won ’t gag me!” yelled the Tory. 4 4 Don ’t 
yo’ try it again.” 

4 4 We are not goin’ toe 4 try’ it this time, we’re 
a-goin’ toe do it.” As he spoke Colonel Blud- 
worth quickly advanced, and, seizing the man by 
his throat, compelled him to open his mouth while 
Jim Paget deftly inserted the gag he had hastily 
cut. He then drew the cord tightly about John 
Casler’s head. In a moment the furious Tory was 
speechless as well as helpless. 

4 4 Strange some folks never seem toe learn how 
toe shut their own mouths. The’ just naturally 
’pear toe invite th’ first man the’ meet toe do th’ 
202 


JIM PAGET’S DISCOVERY 

job for ’em. Now then, Jim Paget, we’ll just go 
on with our searching ” said the colonel. 

Swiftly the bodies of the three men were 
searched, but nothing of value except three knives 
was found. 

“It’s time for us toe be goin’,” said the colonel. 
“I’m wonderin’ whether yo’d rather have us put 
plugs in yore mouths, too, or whether yo’ think yo’ 
can keep ’em shut,” he added, as he addressed 
the remaining prisoners. “It d ’pends on yo’ 
selves.” 

“We’ll keep still,” said George Rippel. 

“I’m thinkin’ yo’ will,” laughed the colonel. 
“Th’ only thing is whether yo’ require any help 
in th’ job.” 

“We’ll keep quiet.” 

“I may be foolish, but I reckon I’ll try it out 
that way. But if I hear yo’ let out a yell afore 
noon I’ll come back here an’ see toe it that th’ 
job’s done right.” 

Meanwhile Jim Paget had released Tim and 
without waiting to listen to his story, all three, 
at the colonel’s direction, turned to depart from 
the place. The light of the morning sun was now 
creeping above the horizon and day was at hand. 
The peril of the colonel and the two boys was 
greatly increased by this fact. 

Colonel Bludworth, however, just before he en- 
tered the bushes, once more turned to the helpless 
Tories and said, “If we all hear yo’ a callin’ we’ll 
reckon yo’re needin’ our presence, so if we hear 
203 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

yo’ we’ll come,” he added meaningly. Then with- 
out further delay he pushed aside the bushes and 
hastened to join the boys who already were mov- 
ing swiftly toward the pathway. 


CHAPTER XVII 
tim’s attack 

T HE reaction had now come and all three were 
making their way swiftly over the rough 
pathway. The mud had dried on Jim Paget ’s 
face and body, leaving a crust that under other 
circumstances would have evoked the laughter of 
his companions. As it was, however, every one 
was aware of their common peril and was eager 
to escape from the locality. 

Although no one referred to the fear in his 
heart, all alike were anxious. The sun now was 
above the tops of the trees and with every pass- 
ing moment the peril increased. Tim was in ad- 
vance, while Colonel Bludworth served as rear 
guard, and all three were keenly observant as they 
made their way through the great swamp. 

An additional fear now urged haste. Lige had 
been told to take the canoe, if no one arrived by 
daybreak, and paddle to the place where the cat- 
boat was hidden. The morning had come and it 
was probable that the negro boy had obeyed or- 
ders. In that event the canoe no longer was to 
be had and their predicament would be still worse. 
Without doubt the Tories were now searching Ne- 
gro Head Point. If John Casler and his two 
Tory friends should be found or free themselves 
205 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


the zeal of the searchers would be greatly 
strengthened. 

No one spoke of his fears, however, and the 
little band moved steadily and stealthily toward 
the cove in which they had hidden their canoe. 

At last they halted and Jim Paget moved in ad- 
vance of his companions to discover if Lige and 
the canoe were still waiting. As the bound boy 
thrust aside the bushes and looked at the well- 
known spot he was quickly aware that the negro 
boy and the canoe were gone. 

Dismayed by his discovery, Jim Paget turned 
quickly and retraced his way. The expression on 
his face revealed his report before he spoke. The 
colonel said quickly, “The ’re gone, are the’?” 

“Yas, suh.” 

“Nothin’ toe show how long Lige waited?” 

“That wouldn’t do us any good anyway,” spoke 
up Tim. “The ’re gone an’ that’s all we need toe 
know. Doesn’t make any difference when they 
started.” 

“It makes a sight o’ diff ’rence,” said the colonel 
calmly. “If Lige didn’t start ’til late, it may be 
he hasn’t put out intoe th’ river with his catboat.” 

“That’s so!” exclaimed Tim. “Yo’ stay here 
an’ I’ll run up ahead toe see if I can find Lige or 
th’ catboat.” 

“Run along, son,” agreed the colonel. “Look 
out th’ Tories don’t get yo’ this time. We all’ll 
stay here where we be. If Lige hasn’t started tell 
him toe hide th’ catboat an’ wait for us. We’ll 
206 


TIM’S ATTACK 


join him in just a little while. Tell him toe wait 
there for us if it takes till t ’morrow mornin’.” 

Tim did not wait to hear more and ran swiftly 
down the bank of the sluggish little inlet. The 
way was difficult and in places it was necessary 
for him to make long leaps, seizing the overhang- 
ing branches of the bushes in his efforts. In 
other places he was compelled to wade through 
deep mud, but he was determined to overtake Lige 
if possible, being fully aware of the plight in 
which the party would be left in the event of his 
departure. The only other way by which they 
could return to the plantation was to find a pas- 
sage to the base of Negro Head Point and there 
regain the mainland. Even there they would be 
compelled to avoid the road and proceed through 
the woods and swamps. And twelve miles was a 
long and difficult journey to undertake under the 
circumstances. 

Plunging, leaping, running, wading, Tim’s long 
legs were of great value in his chase. For the 
time he did not think of the Tories, who doubtless 
were watching the entire region. Even his recent 
experience when he had been made a prisoner by 
two of the detested men was almost forgotten now 
in his zeal. There would be time enough to return 
to that event when escape from the region had 
been safely made. 

Once the running boy did have a momentary 
recollection of the leaping of the two men upon 
him. They had concealed themselves behind two 
207 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

large dead trees that stood one on each side of 
the pathway he had been following in his flight 
from the giant cypress. Without a word of warn- 
ing they had suddenly sprung upon him and borne 
him to the ground where he was helpless in their 
hands. There they had securely bound his hands , 
behind his back, and compelled him to accompany 
them as they led the way to the circular opening, 
where his feet also were bound and he was thrown 
upon the ground and left in the care of a guard 
stationed over him. Doubtless they had believed 
that the remaining members of the colonel’s party 
would also soon appear and plan to capture them, 
as they had taken him. How his father had 
evaded them was still a mystery but Tim was con- 
tent to wait for his story. 

Without halting he continued in his flight. The 
hiding place of the catboat was near the shore of 
the river and at least a mile more must be cov- 
ered before he was to be within sight of it. The 
rank growth shut out all vision of the adjacent 
region. It was almost like feeling his way in the 
darkness. 

When we had advanced half a mile farther, he 
halted and climbed a tree in order to obtain a 
view of the river and take his bearings. Not far 
away the waters of the Cape Fear were shining 
in the early sunlight. Not a boat could he dis- 
covered on the near-by water. He did his utmost 
to obtain a glimpse of Lige close in shore, poling 
208 


TIM’S ATTACK 

or pushing the catboat up the stream. But even 
the shore did not reveal the movements of the 
colored boy. Not a sound nor a sight did he obtain 
of a human being in all the region, 

Returning to the ground, Tim resumed his ef- 
forts and without another interruption at last 
drew near the place he was seeking. 

He increased his caution as he now stealthily 
advanced. The ground was soft and the stagnant 
water was deep in many places. Occasionally he 
sank to his waist in the filthy mass and once he 
hesitated when he discovered a water snake lazily 
crawling up the bank. The reptile was as large 
as the one he had killed and boasted of to Jim 
Paget. 

There was no time now, however, to waste in a 
contest with the slimy creature and Tim pushed 
forward with redoubled zeal. 

In a brief time he arrived at the well-known 
spot he was seeking and instantly he was aware 
that the canoe was gone. The marks of Lige’s 
footprints were visible in the mud and bending 
branches indicated the measures the young negro 
had taken in order to conceal his departure. 

Dismayed by his discovery, for Tim had not 
been without hope that Lige had waited longer 
than the colonel had directed, he stood for a mo- 
ment staring at the little cove. The July sun now 
was beating fiercely down upon the region. The 
day gave promise of being intensely warm. The 
209 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


water was shimmering under the sunlight and the 
insects darting about its surface were moving in 
clouds. 

But Lige and the canoe were gone as he had 
discovered and there was nothing left to be done 
except to follow the colonel’s directions and con- 
tinue on his way to the river in the vague hope 
that Lige might not yet have started with the 
catboat. 

It was necessary for Tim to work his way along 
the bank of the shallow creek, which wound its 
way through the muddy swamp. The toiling lad 
floundered frequently in the morass and waded 
through the filthy waters. Occasionally he was 
compelled to stop for rest but the necessity of 
haste was strong and he soon was doing his utmost 
to advance. 

Slowly and steadily he forged ahead and at last 
came near to the place he was seeking. 

He now halted and listened intently. For a 
brief time no sound broke in upon the stillness. 
Another huge snake lifted its head from the sur- 
face of the water and looked curiously at the boy, 
but apparently convinced that it had nothing to 
fear, it resumed its way across the muddy stream 
and soon disappeared among the birches. 

At that moment Tim was startled by the sound 
of the voices of men. Dropping instantly behind 
the bushes he peered through them in his efforts 
to see who were talking and what their presence 
implied. He was still unable to discern the men, 
210 


TIM’S ATTACK 


nor did he know how many were there, but he 
now heard their conversation distinctly. 

4 4 Where d’ yo’ s’pose that nigger boy went?” 
asked one man. 

4 4 He’s gone and that’s all we need to know,” 
answered another unseen party. 

4 4 What ’ll th’ colonel do when he finds his boat’s 
gone?” 

44 1 reckon th’ colonel won’t bother much ’bout 
his boat. If John Casler an’ George would only 
come’s they agreed we’d get outen these parts.” 

4 4 Are yo’ shore John Casler knew where this 
catboat was hidden?” 

4 4 Man, he’s th’ one that found it. Wasn’t it 
John Casler that sent us here toe get th’ colonel’s 
catboat? Didn’t he tell us toe come here an’ send 
off the nigger boy an’ then wait here till he 
come?” 

44 Yas, I reckon that was th’ way of it.” 

4 4 Didn’t we send the boy out o’ this part o’ th’ 
earth?” 

44 I reckon we did.” 

4 4 Well, what yo’ all complainin’ of then, I’d like 
toe know?” 

44 I’m not complainin’. I’m just a-wonderin’ 
why th’ colonel doesn’t show up.” 

4 4 He ’ll come all right.” 

4 4 But it’s late an’ he shore ought toe be here 
before this.” 

44 John Casler ’ll look out for him. He can’t get 
away from th’ Point now. We’ve got guards all 
211 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


’long tli’ shore an’ this is th’ only catboat in these 
parts. It’s a good dozen miles up toe th’ colonel’s 
place an’ he’ll have to get his boat. Course, John 
Casler may nab him before he gets ’s far as this, 
but if he does he’ll send us word, like he ’greed 
toe do.” 

44 D’ yo’ really think it was Colonel Bludworth 
that fired those shots an’ broke up th’ crowd 
ev’ry time we got t’gether there on Market 
Wharf?” 

“I shore do.” 

44 Where was he hid?” 

44 Somewhere on Nigger Head Point.” 

4 4 He was pretty slick ’bout it. ’ ’ 

44 Colonel’s a pretty slick article anyway. He 
tried his trick once too often an’ now he’s got toe 
pay th’ piper like ev’ry one after he’s had his 
dance. ’ ’ 

44 D’ yo’ feel sure John Casler’ll get him?” 

“Yas, suh. John Casler or some o’ our men ’ll 
get him an’ they won’t be easy with him either 
when they do lay hands on him.” 

4 4 He fooled us a right smart time.” 

4 4 He won’t fool us any more.” 

4 4 An’ we didn’t do a thing we set out toe do.” 

4 4 We all aren’t done yet.” 

4 4 What more can we do? Th’ reg’lars may 
leave any time.” 

44 We’ll have toe do what we can, I reckon.” 

4 4 An’ what’ll that ’mount to? The colonel 
broke us up in Wilmington an’ if what the’ say is 
212 


TIM’S ATTACK 


so Lord Cornwallis isn’t plannin’ toe stay any 
longer in these parts.” 

“ Where’s he goin’?” 

“Some say he’s workin’ north.” 

“He’s been ‘workin’,’ there’s no doubt ’bout 
that. That doggone Yankee, Greene, has certainly 
kept him on th’ jump. An’ th’ worst of it all is 
that th’ reg’lars is all worn out an’ the’ haven’t 
done any more’n we did at Wilmington when 
yo’ get right down toe th’ bottom o’ it.” The 
man spoke as if he was discouraged and under 
other conditions Tim would have laughed at the 
talk he was hearing. 

Conversation ceased, but Tim was unable to 
see the men and was ignorant of what they were 
doing. It was evident from what he had heard 
that they were hopeful of capturing Colonel 
Bludworth. Tim was undecided whether he 
ought to retrace his way and warn his father of 
the plots of the Tories or remain where he was 
until he learned more of their immediate plans. 
His position was trying but if he remained he 
must stay where he then was. 

After a brief time he decided not to leave, hope- 
ful that he would soon learn more, especially when 
he thought of John Casler’s predicament at the 
time when he had departed from the place where 
the Tory was lying bound and gagged. 

Tim also was greatly troubled concerning the 
fate of Lige. He had heard the men who had 
taken the catboat say that they had “sent off the 
213 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

nigger boy,” but there was nothing in their words 
to explain what their action was. Was Lige 
somewhere near or did they mean that they had 
compelled him to flee? The implication at least 
was that he was not a prisoner. Quite likely, he 
concluded, the negro boy had simply been driven 
from the boat and in their confidence that they 
soon would have Colonel Bludworth in their 
power they had not cared very much where Lige 
went. They had the catboat and apparently that 
was their chief desire. 

As the moments slowly passed Tim found the 
waiting becoming increasingly hard to bear. He 
was almost submerged in the filthy water, only 
his head and shoulders being above the surface. 
He was within ten feet of the men and only the 
bushes intervened. A slight noise on his part 
would instantly arouse them and he dared not 
move for fear his foot might slip and he would 
fall. The flies and mosquitoes were hovering 
about him and he dared not try to drive them 
away in his fear of doing something that might 
reveal his presence to his enemies. 

He had not been able to determine who the men 
were. He had not seen either of them, and al- 
though the voice of one reminded him of some one 
he knew, he was not able to decide who had been 
speaking. There was nothing for him to do ex- 
cept to wait for the two men to expose their plans 
or for the colonel and Jim Paget to come. In the 
latter event if the colonel should not be over- 
214 


TIM’S ATTACK 


powered by the watching Tories, then the contest 
might become markedly different. 

Meanwhile Tim waited, striving to possess his 
soul in patience. The men had become silent, 
except for an occasional exclamation over the bite 
of some especially vicious mosquito. The sun 
climbed higher into the heavens and the heat of 
its rays became steadily more intense. Even Tim 
with all his determination was finding it increas- 
ingly difficult to maintain his position in the mud 
and slime. 

At last, when he felt that it was impossible for 
him to remain much longer, he was startled as the 
men before him resumed their conversation. 

“I’m ’feared there’s somethin’ gone wrong,” 
one of them remarked. 

“What?” 

“I dunno, but ’pears toe me John Casler should 
’a’ shown up long afore this if he’s cornin’. I’ve 
half a mind that somethin’s happened toe him.” 

“Yo’ don’t s’pose he may be a-waitin’ for some 
word from us, do yo’?” inquired the other. 

“I dunno. Think I better start back an’ look 
him up?” 

“I reckon it might be a good plan. None o’ 
the rebels is anywhere nigh us an’ I reckon I can 
hold onto th’ catboat. Yas, suh,” he added, “I 
reckon yo ’d better look up J ohn Casler. ’ ’ 

Apparently rejoiced to break up the monotony 
of the long waiting, the man who had made the 
suggestion quickly arose and without waiting for 
215 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

his companion to speak swung the catboat around 
and leaped ashore. 

“ Just hand me my gun,” he said as he turned 
again toward the boat. 

His rifle was extended and as he grasped it he 
said, “I reckon yo’re safe an’ sound. Nobody 
can see yo’ an’ th’ rebels is not likely toe give 
yo’ any trouble. The ’re too busy lookin’ after 
their own affairs. If John Casler could only get 
hold o’ Colonel Bludworth we’d be ready toe g6 
back toe our places an’ settle down. He ’pears 
toe be ’bout th’ only one that stirs up much 
trouble.” 

“Yo’ find John Casler,” said the second man. 
* ‘If yo’ all don’t find him an’ come back here 
later on an’ find th’ catboat ’s gone yo’ll know 
why. We shan’t wait for anybody after John 
Casler gets here. If yo’ don’t happen toe be with 
him yo’ll be left b’hind. Yo’ understand that, 
don’t yo’?” 

“Yas, suh. I reckon I’ll have toe look after 
m’self. I’ll be on hand.” 

Tim waited until the man had disappeared and 
then cautiously lifted his head as he tried to look 
into the catboat. A suggestion had just occurred 
to him and in his zeal he was eager to test it. It 
might be possible, now that only one man was left 
in the boat and no one was likely to come for a 
little while, that he might regain possession of it. 
The thought was stirring and certainly was 
worthy of a trial. 


216 


TIM’S ATTACK 

Without knowing just what he would do Tim 
slowly pulled himself ahead. He was moving by 
inches, cautiously pushing aside the branches as 
he crawled forward. Any noise now would arouse 
the Tory, who doubtless would be keenly on his 
guard. At last Tim gained ground that was 
slightly stronger. 

He was lying upon his stomach crawling like the 
great snake he had killed. As he slightly lifted 
his head he saw the Tory sitting on the gunwale 
with his back toward him. Resting against the 
gunwale, at his side and only a few inches away, 
was his rifle, the barrel of which was projected 
above the boat. 

The sight was tempting. Unsuspicious of any 
threatening danger from that side the man was 
watching the opposite shore and impatiently 
awaiting the coming of John Casler. Tim quickly 
decided that his opportunity had come. Slowly 
he arose and crouched for a spring. He now was 
only five feet behind the man, who had dropped 
his head upon his hands and was leaning forward. 

Suddenly Tim jumped. He seized the unsus- 
pecting Tory by his shoulders and by a supreme 
effort pulled him over backward into the muddy 
water. 

An exclamation of terror escaped the Tory; 
then he sank. 

Without waiting to ascertain what the next move 
of the man would be, Tim hastily scrambled on 
board, seized the rifle, and looking quickly at the 
217 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


priming, brought the weapon to his shoulder and 
stood watching the Tory who now was floundering 
in the mud in his efforts to regain his footing. 

‘ 4 Stop right where yo’ be!” ordered Tim as the 
Tory turned to the boat. “If yo’ come a foot 
nearer I’ll shoot,” he added, as the man appar- 
ently disregarded the boy’s command. 

“Who might you be?” demanded the Tory, as 
he abruptly halted. There was something in the 
expression of his youthful opponent that served 
to make him more cautious. 

“I might be the Prince o’ Whales, but I’m not,” 
retorted Tim. “Just now I’m th’ admiral o’ this 
fleet an’ I won’t stand any nonsense from any 
doggone Tories. The ’re all traitors anyway.” 

“What yo’ all intendin’ toe do?” 

“I’m intendin’ toe take this catboat. It be- 
longs toe me an’ what’s mine ’s my own.” 

The Tory stared blankly at the lad for a mo- 
ment and then said, “Be yo’ one o’ Colonel Blud- 
worth’s gang?” 

“I dunno’s he’s got any 'gang.’ This boat be- 
longs toe me an’ I’m just takin’ my own prop- 
erty.” 

Tim still was holding the rifle at his shoulder, 
for he was fearful that the Tory might spring 
upon him. The man was standing up to his waist 
in the muddy water and was only five feet from 
the boat. The lad was aware that his enemy was 
a powerful man and that in a hand-to-hand con- 
test he would be no match for him. His sole hope 
218 


TIM’S ATTACK 


of safety depended upon keeping him at a dis- 
tance. How he was to cast otf and pole the boat 
down the stream and out into the river and at 
the same time prevent his enemy from attacking 
him or climbing on board was a problem that 
seemed well nigh impossible to solve. 

4 ‘Why don’t yo’ take yore boat if it b ’longs toe 
yo’?” sneered the Tory. 

“I’m just waitin’ for the colonel toe come,” 
said Tim quietly. 

“What’s that?” 

“It’s just as I told yo’. I’m waitin’ for th’ 
colonel toe come.” 

“I reckon yo’ll wait a right good spell.” 

“Maybe so.” 

“Th’ colonel’s been took.” 

4 4 Has he f ” said Tim blandly. 4 4 How long since 
yo’ happened toe get him?” 

4 4 Not very long.” 

“I reckon not,” laughed Tim, who now felt a 
measure of confidence returning. The possession 
of the rifle was greatly in his favor. 

“WAat yo’ all laughin’ at?” 

4 4 I’m not laughin’. I was just thinkin’ o’ yore 
friend. He’ll be a bit s ’prised when he finds the 
colonel. I reckon th’ boot’ll be on th’ other foot 
an’ it’ll pinch too.” 

“WTiat yo’ all talkin’ ’bout?” 

“I’m tellin’ yo’ what I know, what I saw with 
my own eyes.” 

“What’d yo’ see?” 


219 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“Th’ last time I saw John Casler he was hog- 
tied, foot an’ hand, an’ the’ was a gag in his 
mouth.” 

4 ‘ What’s that!” demanded the Tory, plainly 
startled by his youthful opponent’s words. 

“It’s just like I’m tellin’ yo’,” said Tim. 

“Where was John Casler when yo’ all saw 
him?” 

“He was lyin’ on th’ ground. There was two 
other Tories there too. They was both tied hand 
and foot but neither one o’ ’em was gagged.” 

“Who took and tied ’em?” 

“I reckon yo’ better see Colonel Bludworth 
’bout that. Leastwise he could tell yo’ more’n I 
can.” 

“Where was John Casler?” again demanded the 
startled Tory. 

“I done told yo’ he was lyin’ on the ground.” 

“But what ground? Where was it?” 

“I reckon yo’ all’ll have toe find that out for 
yoreself.” 

“Was it near here?” 

“ ’Twasn’t very far away.” 

“Yo’ reckon Colonel Bludworth might get 
George, too?” 

“I reckon he might.” 

“Was the colonel alone?” 

‘ 1 What do ’ yo ’ think he is ? A infant ? No, suh, 
I don’t mind tellin’ yo’ he wasn’t th’ only one in 
th’ party. Yo’ called it a gang, didn’t yo’?” 

220 


TIM’S ATTACK 

‘ ‘ They ’re a-comin’ here!” 

“I reckon the ’ll be here ’most any time now.” 

The Tory hesitated. It was evident that he was 
greatly impressed by Tim’s statements. If what 
the lad had said was true there plainly was a 
double peril. His recent companion might be 
taken by Colonel Bludworth’s band, while even if 
he should escape that threatening danger, there 
was also the possibility that the rebels might 
come to the boat and as he himself was unarmed 
he would be unable to prevent his capture by his 
foes. 

“If what yo’re tellin’ me is th’ truth,” he said, 
after a slight pause during which Tim watched 
him keenly, “I reckon th’ best thing for me toe do 
is toe light out an’ warn George of th’ danger. 
I’m not afraid o’ yore gettin’ away with th’ cat- 
boat,” he added. “If yo’ try toe pole her out toe 
th’ river yo’re likely toe find somebody right there 
a-waitin’ for yo’. My best plan is toe leave yo’ 
here while I go back an’ tell George toe look out 
for th’ colonel an’ at th’ same time find John Cas- 
ler. I wonder if yo’ all is a-lyin’ toe me?” 

“Yo’ can find out right soon. No, suh, I’m not 
lyin’. Ev’ry word ’s true ’s th’ Gospel.” 

“Then I’m goin’ to try it. Don’t yo’ all try toe 
get away from here,” he warned, as he clambered 
to the shore and soon disappeared in the woods 
beyond. 

Tim waited only until he was convinced that the 
221 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


Tory was gone, and then placing the rifle within 
easy reach, he at once cast off and began to pole 
the catboat down the sluggish stream. 

He was fearful that at any moment the Tory 
might return. Perhaps his departure was only a 
ruse anyway and the man might be making a de- 
tour through the woods to fall upon him at another 
point. 

Then, too, there was the possibility that 
“ George” might have fallen in with other Tories 
and that they might come back to find that the 
catboat was gone. As there was only one direc- 
tion in which it could go they would naturally con- 
clude that it must be on or near the river and 
would do their utmost to intercept it. Besides, the 
Tory might have spoken truly when he said that 
boats were on the Cape Fear for the very pur- 
pose of intercepting any escaping rebels. 

Troubled by these thoughts, Tim nevertheless 
steadily poled the catboat toward the river. He 
maintained a keen watch as he passed the bushes 
on the banks, but the low sound of the long oar 
which he was using as he drew it from the water 
was all he heard. Advancing cautiously and 
steadily, he at last arrived at the junction with the 
river and then ceased poling as he anxiously 
peered out at the waters before him. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


CONCLUSION 

B EFORE Tim obtained a full view of the river 
he was startled by a low call that came from 
the bushes at his left. 

“Hi, there!” said the unseen man. “Tate me 
aboard yore boat. ’ ’ 

“Who’s that?” demanded Tim, startled by the 
unexpected hail and staring blankly at the spot 
from which the summons had come. 

“It’s Lige,” replied the voice of the young ne- 
gro who was still unseen. 

“Good for yo’,” said Tim eagerly. “Come on, 
Lige . 9 9 

The negro boy at once thrust aside the bushes 
and advanced toward the boat as Tim poled it 
closer to the shore. 

“Where did yo’ all come from?” demanded 
Tim, as the black boy, dripping and covered with 
mud, swung himself on board the catboat. 

“Ah been waitin’ fo’ yo’,” answered Lige. 
“How long yo’ been there?” 

“Since sunup. Ah did des what de colonel done 
tole me. Ah waited back yonder whar de canoe 
was an’ when nobuddy comes, Ah took de c’noe 
an’ went on toe de catboat. Den Ah waited some 
223 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

mo’ an’ fust Ah knows ’long comes two men wha’ 
tole me toe get away from dar. So Ah is come 
down yere toe wait fo’ yo’ or de colonel. Ah 
reckoned some one’d come erlong wid de boat, an’ 
snore ’miff dey does come. Here yo’ is an’ so is 
I.” 

“Did they hurt yo’?” 

“No, suh. No, suh. Dey didn’ hu’t me. Dey 
des says, ‘Get out, nigger!’ So Ah gits out. Ah 
didn’ leave ’em no time toe change de min’s.” 

“Do yo’ know who th’ men were?” 

“No, suh. Ah nebber seen ’em befo’. Dey was 
bofe men wha’ Ah don’ recomnize.” 

“Why did yo’ go?” 

“Ah reckon yo’ wouldn’t ask me dat if yo’ all 
had er been dar. ’ ’ 

“What do yo’ mean?” 

“Dey was bofe mighty pert in der way ob 
talkin’. Dey des said, ‘Git out, nigger,’ an’ when 
Ah hears dem strep ’rous words, All didn’ wait 
toe hear no mo’. Ah des lef’ an’ Ah didn’ look 
behin’ me, suh. No, suh, Ah des reck’ned Ah 
could hear dose guns goin’ blam, blam! Ah didn’ 
wait toe say ‘ Good-mo ’nin’, gentlemen.’ Ah des 
kicked right ober dat gun’l an’ struck kerflam on 
my stomick in all dat mud and slipp’ry stuff. 
Yas, suh, Ah reckon Ah didn’ wait fo’ toe hear 
any mo’. When dey says, ‘Git,’ Ah des git an’ 
dat’s de truf.” 

The appearance of neither Tim nor Lige was 
prepossessing at the time, for both were covered 
224 


CONCLUSION 


with mud and slime. In spite of his troubles Tim 
smiled as he looked at the negro boy and said, 
“I’m right glad yo’re here, Lige.” 

“Yas, suh. Yas, sub,” responded Lige cor- 
dially. “Ah reckoned yo’ ail’d be glad toe see 
me.” 

“I don’t know what toe do next.” 

“Yas, suh. Ah reckon yo’ all’ll wait fo’ de 
colonel toe come, ’long wid Jim Paget.” 

“They may not be able to get here at all.” 

Tim then briefly related what had befallen him 
and also told of his fears for the safety of Colo- 
nel Bludworth and the bound boy. 

Lige listened intently and then said, “Ah 
reckon we ail’d bettah des wait yere a spell. 
Maybe de colonel’ll come, des like he said he 
would. ’ ’ 

“I think myself that’s th’ best plan. We’ll stay 
right here a while an’ then if th’ colonel doesn’t 
come we’ll be no worse off’n we are now. Can 
yo’ see anybody on th’ river, Lige?” 

Both boys gazed long and earnestly up and down 
the Cape Fear but neither was able to discover 
any craft on the river. 

It was nearly noon now and the heat was becom- 
ing well-nigh unbearable. The waters before them 
were like glass and the reflection of the sun’s rays 
was direct and intense. Their fear that the Tories 
might be hiding along the shore was strong and in 
that event their peril was still great. 

Neither had had anything to eat that morning 
225 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


and both were intensely thirsty. There was no 
relief, however, to be had and Tim calmly pulled 
the catboat, which still had the canoe in tow just 
as the Tories had fixed it, farther under the shel- 
ter of the overhanging branches. 

In the uncertainty of the coming of Colonel 
Bludworth, fear that the Tories had shot or taken 
him were in Tim’s thoughts and naturally in- 
creased his anxiety. Nevertheless he did his best 
to possess his soul in patience. It was impossible 
to know where his friends were. To land was diffi- 
cult or he would have stationed Lige as a lookout 
on the shore. 

They had no means of estimating the passing 
of time save by the slow progress of the sun in the 
heavens. There were moments when to the im- 
patient Tim the great orb seemed almost to stand 
motionless in the brazen sky. His thirst increased 
and his fears for the safety of his friends became 
stronger as the time dragged slowly on. 

A water snake, moving lazily through the water, 
lifted its head as it drew near and gazed in appar- 
ent fearlessness at the boat and its occupants. 

“Here, give me yo’ oar,” whispered Lige. 
“Lemme kill it.” 

“No.” 

“Why not?” 

“Leave him be. We’ve got ’nough toe do.” 

“ ’Pears like we all wasn’t very busy,” grum- 
bled the negro. 

“We don’t want toe be yet awhile. What’s 
226 


CONCLUSION 

that?” Tim demanded suddenly as he arose, and 
facing the shore behind them, listened intently. 
He had heard a report like the distant firing of a 
rifle and for a moment he was startled. The 
sound, however, was not repeated and Tim re- 
sumed his seat, although he was still looking in 
the direction from which the disquieting sound 
had been heard. 

“Yo' don't reckon that was th' Tories firin' at 
th' colonel an' Jim Paget, do yo', Lige?'' he 
asked. 

“It mought be an' den again it moughtn't,” 
replied Lige. 

“ That's a safe way o' lookin' at it,” remarked 
Tim soberly. 

“Yas, suh, Ah reckons it is. Das des 'bout de 
way 'tis, suh.” 

Conversation ceased but Tim was still anxious. 
He was frequently listening for a repetition of the 
distant report, but the silence of the summer day 
remained unbroken. The river was almost mo- 
tionless, while the heat seemed to increase. 

The stillness was abruptly broken by a call that 
sounded faint and far away. It seemed, however, 
to come from the shore and in his excitement Tim 
arose and listened intently. 

The shout or call was repeated and Tim, now 
thoroughly aroused, shouted in his loudest tones. 
4 ‘ Here! Here we be! Come right toe th' place 
where th’ creek flows into th' river! That's th' 
colonel! I'm shore it is,” he added in a low voice, 
227 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

as he turned for a moment to the black hoy seated 
behind him. 

The two boys waited for fresh hails but none 
came. Tim examined the priming of the rifle he 
had taken from the Tory, and standing in the 
stern of the catboat, watched the bushes along the 
near-by shore for any indications of the coming of 
Colonel Bludworth and Jim Paget. 

In obedience to Tim’s suggestion Lige had 
freed the boat and was holding an oar ready to 
pole the little craft in any direction and at any in- 
dication of trouble. Perplexed as Tim was, he 
was prepared for any emergency. If his friends 
showed themselves and were not pursued he 
planned to receive them on board and quickly 
withdraw from the shore, while if the Tories were 
in swift pursuit he was ready with his rifle to do 
his utmost to protect the running men. 

His excitement increased as the moments 
passed and no one appeared. He was tempted to 
repeat his hail, fearful that the colonel and his 
young comrade might have lost the direction 
which his response to their call indicated. When 
the silence which rested over the river continued 
unbroken, he began to fear that his friends had 
been taken by the pursuing Tories. Indeed, to the 
troubled lad dire calamities had overtaken his 
father. He was on the point of going ashore 
to investigate when abruptly a low call came 
from the bushes not more than forty feet 
away. 


228 


CONCLUSION 


6 ‘ Here ! ’ ’ responded Tim in a low voice. 1 ‘ Here 
we are. Yo’ll have toe wade a bit farther up- 
stream. We’re right under the bushes ! I’ll hold 
up an oar an’ maybe yo’ll see it.” 

He recognized instantly the voice of his father 
and was greatly relieved by the sound. 

In a brief time Colonel Bludworth and Jim 
Paget appeared creeping through the brush and 
quickly they were taken on board, muddy and 
dripping as they were. The colonel was still 
carrying Old Bess and Jim Paget also had a rifle. 
Both somehow had contrived to keep their wea- 
pons dry and consequently were ensured a meas- 
ure of protection. There was no opportunity for 
explanations or conversation now, for all were 
aware of the necessity for speedy action. 

1 1 Shall I pole her out, pop?” asked Tim in a 
low voice. 

“ Better pull her up th’ shore a bit, son,” re- 
plied the colonel. “We ’ll move out o’ this place 
so that if anybody has been keepin’ an eye on yo’ 
he’ll have toe move too.” 

In response to the suggestion all three boys 
grasped the overhanging branches and pulled the 
catboat a hundred feet or more along the shore, 
striving all the time to keep the little craft con- 
cealed by the bushes. 

“There! I reckon that’ll do for the present, 
son,” said the colonel. “Keep her covered if yo’ 
can an ’ we ’ll see what ’s goin ’ on. ” He was speak- 
ing in a low voice but Tim was assured that both 
229 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

his father and Jim Paget were unharmed and con- 
sequently he was measurably content. 

4 'What was that shot we heard, pop?” Tim 
asked after a brief silence, during which the little 
party waited to convince themselves that they still 
were not seen. 

"John Casler,” replied the colonel. 

"Did he fire at yo’?” 

"I reckon he called it that.” 

"How did he get free?” 

' ‘ I dunno. He may ’a ’ worked loose or some one 
may ’a’ come along an’ set him free.” 

"I reckon that’s it,” said Tim. "I told some o’ 
the Tories he was tied an’ gagged back yon- 
der ” 

"Yo’ did what?” demanded the colonel in sur- 
prise. 

In response Tim briefly related what had be- 
fallen Lige and himself and explained how he had 
rid himself of the Tory who had not dared climb 
on board the catboat and yet had prevented him 
from poling the boat out into the stream. 

" Yo’ did right, son,” said the colonel, when Tim 
had told his story. "Now then we must see what 
we can do toe leave these parts.” 

"But tell me ’bout John Casler firin’ at yo’,” 
persisted Tim. 1 1 Did yo ’ see him ? ’ ’ 

"Yas, suh, we saw him. We kep’ on yore trail 
an’ ’twas just as I reckoned ’twould be. I knew 
our only chance was in gettin’ toe th’ catboat. I 
reckoned shore that Lige would ’a’ gone an’ th’ 
230 


CONCLUSION 

chances all were that th’ catboat would be gone 
too.” 

“Did yo’ fire at John Casler?” 

“No, suh.” 

4 4 Why not ? ’ ’ 

“We was in a hurry,” answered the colonel 
dryly. 4 4 We wanted toe leave those parts. An 1 
we did.” 

4 4 Good,” laughed Tim. “Yo’ all can tell us 
’bout it later on. Think we better pull out o’ 
here?” 

4 4 Is there any wind?” 

4 4 Mighty little.” 

4 4 Let me see,” said the colonel, as he thrust 
aside the bushes and peered out upon the river. 
4 4 We’re in th’ lee here. There’s a puff o’ wind 
out yonder,” he added, as he pointed toward the 
middle of the stream. 

4 4 Think we’d better make for it? 

“Yas, suh, I do,” answered the colonel posi- 
tively. 4 4 There isn’t a boat in sight anywhere. 
We may be takin’ a chance, but if we don’t do that 
we aren’t likely toe get anywhere. Th’ man that 
doesn’t take any chances never takes anything else 
either.” 

4 4 Shall we pole her out?” spoke up Jim Paget. 

4 4 That’s right. Let her go,” directed Colonel 
Bludworth. 

The boys quickly responded and at once began 
to pole the catboat out into the river. 

All were keenly watching the shore for the ap- 
231 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


pearance of a boat of their enemy, but, when they 
had gone a hundred feet, fresh courage came with 
the perception that a slight breeze was blowing. 
It was only a gentle stirring of the air, but as he 
felt it Jim Paget said quickly, “ There’s a wind, 
colonel. Shall we hoist the sail or keep on pol- 
ing? ’Tisn’t very strong but we’ll go faster’n 
we’re goin’ now.” 

“Put her up,” assented the colonel. “It’ll be 
like givin’ notice toe all th’ Tories on th’ Cape 
Fear, but we’ll have toe take some chances, like I 
said.” 

The boys at once shipped their oars and joined 
in hoisting the sail. In a brief time the task was 
accomplished and the little catboat began to move 
upstream before the slight breeze that partly filled 
the sail. 

A feeling of confidence now returned to all. Ap- 
parently they had escaped to their boat and no 
enemies were in pursuit. It was more than any 
had dared to expect a few hours before. 

“This is something like it,” exclaimed Tim, as 
he seated himself with the tiller in his hand. “I 
like this better ’n crawlin’ through that mud an’ 
bush an’ havin’ snakes stick up their heads an’ 
call yo’ names ev’ry foot o’ th’ way. I saw 
snakes in that swamp ’most ’s big ’s th’ one Jim 
Paget killed th’ other day back yonder in th’ 
woods.” 

“Never yo’ mind,” exclaimed Jim Paget. 

232 


CONCLUSION 


“That’s right, don’t mind th’ snakes. What 
we all want toe mind are those two boats up ahead 
yonder. ’ ’ 

Instantly every boy turned in the direction in- 
dicated by the colonel and all quickly were aware 
that two skiffs were putting out from the shore. 
Each boat contained four men and two in each 
boat were rowing. They were making much 
swifter progress than the little catboat and it was 
manifest that they were doing their utmost to in- 
tercept it. 

Colonel Bludworth lifted Old Bess, which at the 
last moment he had decided to bring with him, and 
looked carefully to the priming. 

‘ 1 Let ’em have it ! ” urged Tim . “ They haven ’t 
any gun that can carry more’n half as far ’s she 
can. Yo’ can keep ’em off, pop. Let her go! 
Give it toe ’em.” 

“I reckon yo’re correct, son,” drawled the colo- 
nel. “I don’t want toe hit any o’ ’em if I can help 
it. Th’ might be neighbors o’ mine, yo’ under- 
stand. ’ ’ 

“They don’t feel that way ’bout their neigh- 
bors!” said Jim Paget angrily. 

“No more the’ don’t,” admitted the colonel. 
“But I’m not tryin’ toe justify myself by gettin’ 
on toe th’ same level with those doggone To- 
ries.” 

“If yo’ don’t do somethin’ right soon, pop,” 
urged Tim, “it’ll be too late toe do anything. 
The ’ll get th’ drop on yo’.” 

233 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

‘ 4 Quite likely, son, quite likely. But just s ’pose 
th’ was friends o’ ours in those two boats.” 

“ The ’re Tories,” declared Tim after another 
inspection. “I’m dead certain I can make out 
John Casler in the boat that’s ahead.” 

“ Be yo ’ certain shore o ’ that ! ’ ’ 

“Yas, suh.” 

“Then I reckon there’s no help for it. I reckon 
I’ll have toe plug that boat first off an’ give ’em 
somethin’ toe think ’bout. Shore John Casler ’s 
in the first boat!” 

“Yas, suh. Don’t wait any longer, pop. The ’ll 
get us shore if yo’ don’t do somethin’ right now.” 

“Just ’s yo’ say, son, just ’s yo’ say.” The 
colonel lifted the heavy rifle, then decided to rest 
the muzzle on the gunwale. To the excited boys 
his actions seemed to be unduly deliberate. They 
were watching the swiftly moving boats which now 
were within the range of Old Bess. A few min- 
utes more would bring them sufficiently close to 
permit them to use their rifles — a possibility 
that greatly increased the anxiety of all three boys. 

Tim and Jim Paget had reached for their rifles 
and inspected them carefully. Lige, who held the 
tiller, was an expert sailor and the direction of 
the catboat was now in his charge. At the same 
time the rifle Tim had taken from the Tory that 
morning was loaded and placed within easy reach 
of the colored boy if occasion required it. 

By this time Colonel Bludworth was ready to 
fire. “I’ll try for a hole in the bow,” he ex- 
234 


CONCLUSION 


plained.. 44 I want it below th’ water line an’ I 
reckon Old Bess’s bullet’ll make quite a sizable 
hole. Maybe the ’ll have toe quit rowin’ an’ go 
toe bailin’ ” 

4 4 Don’t wait a minute longer,” pleaded Jim 
Paget, breaking in upon the apparently easy- 
going man. 4 4 If yo’ don’t get them the ’ll shore 
get us.” 

The response of the colonel was a terrific report 
from the huge rifle. For a moment the eatboat 
seemed to be thrown out of her course, but the 
boys were too eager to ascertain the effect of 
Colonel Bludworth’s shot to give undue heed to 
their own surroundings. 

It speedily became evident that the delay of the 
colonel had been more apparent than real. He 
had waited until he was positive that the two boats 
were well within range and that the damage he 
might inflict would be correspondingly greater. 
And now he had his reward when the men in the 
foremost boat instantly stopped rowing. It was 
plain that they were alarmed, although doubtless 
all four now were assured that at last they had as- 
certained the identity of the mysterious rifleman. 

Soon it became apparent that the pursuing To- 
ries were in distress. It was plain, too, that Colo- 
nel Bludworth had not missed his mark. He had 
planned to hit the boat in the bow and if the heavy 
bullet of Old Bess had plowed its way through 
both sides of the skiff below the water line it had 
left on each side a hole which was admitting a 
235 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


volume of water that would keep the Tories busy 
bailing, even if they should be able to keep afloat. 

“Yo’ did it, pop!” exclaimed Tim excitedly, as 
he at once reloaded the huge rifle. ‘ ‘ Give ’em one 
more an’ the ’ll go straight toe the bottom o’ th’ 
Cape Fear.” 

The colonel did not respond. He was keenly 
watching the actions of his enemies and merely 
nodded when Jim Paget exclaimed, “That other 
boat is a makin’ fo’ th’ shore. The ’re leaving 
those men toe sink or swim for themselves.” 

“Yas, suh, that’s just what the’re doin’,” 
joined in Tim, who was watching every movement 
of the Tories. “ The ’re just a-clearin’ out an’ 
leavin’ ’em!” 

The words of the boys were soon verified. The 
second boat turned abruptly and began to pull 
for the shore. As it headed away one of the party 
fired at the catboat, but the shot either went wide 
of its mark or fell short. 

“ That’s a brave lot for yo’!” exclaimed Jim 
Paget in disgust. “What kind o’ men is that toe 
turn tail an’ leave their friends in such a hole ’s 
that?” 

“They’re just plain Tories an’ a Tory’s a 
traitor,” said Tim. “It doesn’t make a bit o’ 
diff’rence whether it’s th’ Colonies or their own 
friends, the’ don’t stand by either one!” 

“I’m a-going toe let Old Bess say good-by too 
’em,” said Jim Paget, as he sighted the huge rifle. 

There was a momentary protest from Colonel 
236 


CONCLUSION 

Bludworth, but the bound boy bad fired before it 
was completed. 

“Missed ’em!” exclaimed Lige, when the result 
became manifest. 

“I reckon I did,” admitted Jim Paget. “But 
I made ’em hit up their stroke a bit,” he added 
gleefully as the efforts of the departing Tories re- 
doubled. “I may not be much good as a shot, but 
I reckon I was somethin’ like a whip is toe a lazy 
horse. Leastwise, the ’re a goin’ good now I” 

“The’ shore be!” laughed Lige. 

“Look at th’ other boat,” said Colonel Blud- 
worth quietly. “Somethin’s wrong.” 

“The ’re havin’ their troubles keep in’ her 
afloat,” said Tim, as all three turned to observe 
the boat to which the colonel had directed their 
attention. 

“Here, let me take th’ tiller,” said Colonel 
Bludworth, turning quickly to Lige as he spoke. 
Instantly changing the course of the catboat, the 
colonel headed her straight for the skiff which it 
was evident the occupants were desperately striv- 
ing to keep from sinking. 

The little craft was heavily loaded and if Old 
Bess had torn two holes in her sides, as the boys 
believed, then the efforts of the men would be 
vain. 

“Yo’re headin’ straight for ’em, pop,” ex- 
claimed Tim. 

“I shore be,” admitted the colonel. 

“Shall we fire at ’em?” inquired Jim Paget. 

237 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


< ‘ No, suh. Look toe yore primin' an' keep yore 
guns in yore hands but don't shoot unless I tell 
yo\" 

Puzzled by the actions of their leader, the three 
boys did as they had been bidden and then stood 
silently watching the Tories. There was no ques- 
tion in their minds now that the men were in dire 
distress. The boat had settled and every moment 
the boys expected to see it capsize. 

The wind still was light and progress was cor- 
respondingly slow. Although the little catboat 
dragged, it steadily drew nearer the sinking skiff. 

At last the colonel hailed the party in the skiff. 

4 4 What's wrong with yo'?" he called. 

“We're sinkin'!" shouted one of the Tories. 

4 ‘Keep up yore bailin'. We all'll get yo' off." 

The boys stared blankly at one another, but all 
were silent. It was evident now that Colonel 
Bludworth intended to rescue the Tories. Why 
should he do so? The Tories, and John Casler 
most of all, had done their utmost to kill the colo- 
nel. Indeed, they were in their present danger 
just because they had tried to prevent the party 
from escaping. There was no question that they 
would have left the men in the catboat to sink if 
conditions had been reversed. But Colonel Blud- 
worth was not like other men. His actions were 
not to be explained, and the puzzled boys waited 
in silence for him to make plain his plans. 

“Now, boys," said the colonel in a low voice, 
238 


CONCLUSION 


4 4 keep yore guns where the 'll be handy. Don't 
fire unless I tell yo'." Turning to the men in the 
sinking skiff, he said, “I'll run alongside an’ take 
yo' on board one at a time. If yo' all try toe jump 
or come all together I'll have toe leave yo', for 
yo'd sink both boats. Yo'll have toe be hauled on 
board. John Casler, yo' come first," he directed, 
as he cast a light line on board the skiff. 4 1 Care- 
ful," he warned. “Don't upset th' craft!" 

The sail of the catboat had been taken in, leav- 
ing the boat motionless. The Tory apparently 
hesitated a moment, glancing uneasily at his com- 
rades. The plight, however, was too serious to 
admit of delay, and firmly grasping the rope, he 
cautiously leaped into the water and speedily was 
drawn on board the catboat. 

A second Tory followed, but when the third man 
attempted to lower himself his haste was sufficient 
to overturn the skiff, which now was low in the 
water. As a result both men were thrown into the 
river. There was a desperate effort to rescue 
them as it was at once manifest that neither could 
swim, and it was only by the prompt direction of 
the colonel and the activity of the boys that at last 
they were hauled safely on board. 

“What yo’ all goin' toe do with us?" asked 
John Casler, when the boys had hoisted their sail 
and the heavily laden little craft slowly moved 
forward. 

“What yo' all think?" drawled the colonel. 

239 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

“I reckon yo’ know,” answered the Tory. He 
was in a surly mood and it also was plain that he 
was alarmed. 

“Yo’ wait an’ yo’ll find out right soon, I 
reckon.” 

Conversation ceased and to all appearances 
Colonel Bludworth gave his undivided attention to 
the sailing of the catboat. A glance from him had 
been sufficient to cause Tim and Jim Paget to re- 
tain their guns. The Tories had lost their rifles 
and if they still had pistols they were rendered 
useless by the water through which the men had 
been drawn. 

For a time the boat sailed on in silence except 
for an occasional direction which the colonel gave 
Lige. The breeze soon freshened and as a result 
the speed slightly increased, as they were sailing 
directly before the wind. Nearly three hours had 
elapsed, however, when at last they made a land- 
ing and Colonel Bludworth directed the entire 
party to follow him, after the boat had been made 
fast. 

He then led the way toward the plantation. As 
they proceeded, the uneasiness of the Tories 
greatly increased. They frequently glanced at one 
another but they dared not offer any resistance or 
attempt to break away. 

Their dismay was well-nigh ludicrous when 
after their arrival at the big house they were told 
they were to be fed and then would be free to 
go where they chose. John Casler stared unbe- 
240 


CONCLUSION 

lievingly at the colonel, but he did not protest and 
ate ravenously. 

“Yo’re free toe go,” said Colonel Bludworth 
when at last the nearly famished men left the 
kitchen where Aunt Judy after much grumbling 
and many protests had provided them with food. 

The three Tories looked foolishly at one another 
and one of them had the grace to say, “ Thank yo’ 
kindly, colonel, for what yo’ have done for us.” 
John Casler and the third man were silent, how- 
ever, and in a brief time all departed from the 
plantation. 

“Yo’ reckon John Casler ’ll try toe set us afire 
now?” inquired Tim, after the three Tories had 
gone. 

“I dunno,” drawled the colonel. 

But John Casler made no further attempt to 
burn the place. Whether he was ashamed to do 
so after his treatment by Colonel Bludworth or 
whether the hopelessness of continuing the strug- 
gle caused him to abandon his project was not 
known. On the rare occasions that the Tory was 
seen, he had nothing to say. He kept to his own 
home until peace was declared and then disap- 
peared. He had not explained to his neighbors 
what his plans were and consequently no one could 
state positively what had become of him. There 
were current rumors that he had gone with other 
Royalists to Nova Scotia, preferring, as they did, 
to lose their possessions in the United States pro- 
241 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 


vided they might live where they would be under 
the rule of the British King. 

Meanwhile Lord Cornwallis with his troops had 
moved northward and established his headquarters 
at Yorktown in Virginia, on the peninsula be- 
tween the James and York rivers. Washington, 
who at the time was with his troops on the shore 
of the Hudson River by a trick deceived General 
Clinton, who was in New York, and held the 
British general there so that he could not go to 
the aid of his hardly beset comrade at Yorktown. 

The French fleet had arrived in Chesapeake Bay 
late in August and not only blocked the escape of 
Cornwallis by sea, but also landed French sol- 
diers to strengthen Lafayette, who was besieging 
the forces of Cornwallis by land. The armies of 
Washington and Rochambeau now arrived and 
still further increased the number of troops in the 
siege of Yorktown. 

This siege began September 30, 1781. The al- 
lied armies of the United States and France 
formed a half-circle in front of Yorktown. The 
French soldiers were clad in bright new uniforms, 
while the dress of the Americans was ragged and 
faded, and their equipment was poor. Their fight- 
ing spirit, however, was keen and the rivalry be- 
tween the French and the Americans as to who 
was to lead in the attacks was sharp. 

After three weeks of hard fighting Cornwallis 
found he was in a trap from which there was no 
escape. He made one more desperate attempt to 
242 


CONCLUSION 


take his army across the York River and flee to the 
north, but a sudden storm arose and scattered his 
boats, which made his plan a failure. 

Lord Cornwallis then decided that he must sur- 
render. Accordingly, on October 19, 1781, in a 
large open field near Yorktown the formal sur- 
render was made. The British troops numbering 

8.000 went through the same public ceremony 
which they had previously imposed on the Ameri- 
cans when the latter had been compelled to give 
up Charleston. Cornwallis himself, nearly worn 
out by his long efforts to break the siege, sent a 
subordinate to make the formal surrender. 

It had hardly taken place before an expedition 
sent from New York was on its way to the aid of 
the British at Yorktown. When it became known 
that Cornwallis had indeed surrendered, the 

7.000 men in the expedition hastily returned to 
New York. 

The allied forces then separated. The French 
troops remained in Virginia, while Count de 
Grasse sailed with his fleet for the West Indies. 
The American troops marched back to New York, 
with the exception of a detachment that went 
southward and recaptured Wilmington. 

The long war was ended and the struggling col- 
onies had won. It is true, as we know, that peace 
was not formally declared until 1783, but the 
fighting now had nearly ceased. 

The activities of such devoted patriots as Colo- 
nel Bludworth and his young comrades were no 
243 


THE MYSTERIOUS RIFLEMAN 

longer required. Bitter feelings between neigh- 
bors and those who at one time had been friends 
still remained, and only gradually and with the 
passing of years and the formation of the gov- 
ernment of the new country, subsided. 

Not a word was ever received concerning the 
fate of Sim Miller. All that was known was that 
he never was seen again in Wilmington. Jim 
Paget and Tim made a diligent search but their 
efforts were in vain. Whether the little cobbler 
lost his way and perished in the swamp, or was 
shot by the searching Tories, or had fled from the 
region was not known. He had simply disap- 
peared. 

For several years Jim Paget remained in Col- 
onel Bludworth’s home, where he was kindly 
treated and loved. After he had served his time 
he went with friends to the region which Daniel 
Boone had opened in what is now Kentucky. 
There he took up land and prospered as a settler 
and hunter. 

Tim Bludworth remained with his father and 
as he grew older assumed charge of the plantation. 
His energy and labors, greater than those of his 
easy-going father, soon brought many changes 
and improvements and so he prospered beyond the 
dreams of the colonel. 

One summer, ten years after the end of the 
Revolution, Jim Paget returned to visit the scenes 
of his boyhood. His welcome was all that he de- 
sired. Together he and Tim rode over the fa- 
244 


CONCLUSION 


miliar region, recounting the experiences of tht~_ 
boyhood days and even going over the rough road 
where Jim Paget had killed the huge water snake 
on that eventful day when Tim first had learned 
of the plans of the Tories. 

“The’s one other place I must see before I go 
home,” said Jim Paget one day. 

“I know what ’tis,” laughed Tim. “We all’ll 
go there t ’morrow.” 

Accordingly, early the following morning, Col- 
onel Bludworth, Tim, Jim Paget and Lige set sail 
in a new catboat for Negro Head Point. They 
landed at the place where ten years before they 
had concealed their boats and then made their way 
over the hummocks to the giant cypress. 

Their disappointment was keen when they dis- 
covered that the huge tree had fallen. The ruins 
were there but the tree was crushed and lay broken 
on the ground. Evidently a great storm had 
blown down the hollow tree and only a part of the 
trunk remained to mark the spot. 

“It was a great tree,” said Tim thoughtfully. 

“It shore was,” assented Jim Paget. “But the’ 
was somethin’ greater ’n th’ tree.” 

“What was that?” 

“The mysterious rifleman that found it an’ 
tricked th’ Tories.” 

(i) 


THE ENT) 





































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